Earl is used to having to compete. Although he was called up to the England squad for the first time in summer 2018, his debut only came in February 2020. He had to wait even longer for his first start.
With then England coach Eddie Jones unconvinced by Earl, it was only after 15 appearances as a replacement and Jones being succeeded by Steve Borthwick in late 2022 that he emerged as a first-choice back row.
A series of barnstorming performances en route to the 2023 World Cup semi-finals helped cement his spot.
He started 17 successive England Tests since then, with only his Lions call-up ending the streak.
“This summer, after coming back from the Lions, you realise what it has taken to get you there,” Earl said.
“I have a huge amount of gratitude for Steve and (Saracens director of rugby) Mark McCall as the two coaches I have had longest in my career.
“Without those two challenging me, encouraging me, pushing me in different ways, I wouldn’t be anywhere near the player that I am today.
“They’re never settled and they don’t let you settle as a player.”
Earl is also being driven on by a clutch of back-row contenders. Guy Pepper, 22, is the latest, impressing off the bench in the summer wins over Argentina.
“Absolutely, that pushes you,” said 27-year-old Earl.
“It’s a weird transition. I was looking around the back row and I think Sam Underhill was the oldest, but I was second oldest.
“It wasn’t long ago that I was by far the youngest. There is an incredible amount of talent.
“Henry Pollock obviously will have picked up such a huge amount of experience on the summer. Guy Pepper is a Premiership winner and was a standout for me over the summer.
“Ben Curry was fantastic and has been fantastic in all the jerseys he’s played over the last 18 months or two years.
“And then Chandler Cunningham-South and Ted Hill offer something a little bit different. There’s a lot.”