Keith Earls set to swap Munster for Saracens, reports

Ireland and Munster back Keith Earls is on the verge of completing a move to English Premiership leaders Saracens, according to reports in the Irish Independent.

28-year-old Earls is reported to have turned down a new deal at Thomond Park, and is likely to swap Limerick for London for the start of next season.

Earls is currently in line to be named in Joe Schmidt’s 23-man squad for Ireland’s Six Nations opener away at Wales, however a move to Allianz Park may hinder his future international prospects.

Currently Johnny Sexton is the only player plying his trade overseas who has been selected by Joe Schmidt, however this may change with Earls likely to follow Marty Moore and Ian Madigan abroad next term.

It was announced on Monday tighthead prop Moore will play for Wasps next season, while Madigan is heading to play for Bordeaux Begles.

The news will come as a massive blow for head coach Anthony Foley, with rumours surrounding the future of Simon Zebo also refusing to abate.

Injured Ireland winger Tommy Bowe believes a move to Saracens, who beat his province Ulster home and away in this year's Champions Cup, will offer a fresh start for Earls, he said: "The IRFU will have to look at ways of keeping their best players in Ireland. It's something they've been excellent at in the past.

“For people like Keith Earls, he’s had a fantastic career at Munster, I’m sure he would have loved to stay. But sometimes going to a new club can be a fresh start for him.

Bowe himself played overseas for the Ospreys and hopes the proximity of London to Ireland means Earls will still be able to represent his country, he said: “Hopefully only being over in England, we saw with Johnny Sexton in France being able to come back and play for Ireland.”