'Car Crash' Earls comes back with try

The 21-year-old scored a vital try for the British & Irish Lions in their 26-24 win over the Free State Cheetahs just a week after Lions doctor James Robson likened him to a car crash victim.

It meant the Magners League star undergoing six times daily treatments in a bid to save his tour and recover in time to make a second appearance in the Lions midfield.

"It as a phenomenal turn around for Keith. I thought that he and Riki Flutey were going to be the first players out of Africa," said Dr Robson.

"Keith suffered the kind of collision injury you see in a car accident when a seat belt snaps across your chest.

"He damaged his shoulder joint and had very deep bruising across his chest. It is testament to his character, and the hard work of the physio Phil Pask, that he is still on the tour.

"Phil inflicted a huge amount of pain on the young man with some very deep muscle massage therapy. So, seeing him score the try was fantastic.

"The professionalism shown by the whole squad in their injury management is the best I have ever seen. Keith was having treatment about six times per day from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.

"It was very painful, deep massage on a very severe bruise. You could say that Phil Pask has helped to save Keith's tour by the work he has done with him."

Flutey damaged the back of his right knee during his appearance as a replacement for earls in the opening game against the Royal XV, but will report back to full team training today (mon) and be available for his first start against the Sharks on Wednesday.

As well as long sessions with the physios, Flutey had been waking himself up every two hours through the night to administer cold therapy treatment to his injured joint.

"Riki has been setting his alarm to wake himself up every two hours to administer cold therapy on his knee. That's on top of the work he is doing with the physios throughout the day," said Dr Robson.

"He will resume full training tomorrow and be available to play on Wednesday if required. I means we can say the Lions are in rude health at the moment."

Next stop for the Lions is Durban with the Sharks next up on Wednesday night. Skipper Paul O'Connell knows they need to improve, especially at the breakdown after being outscored by three tries to one by the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.