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Keith Earls is hoping that he can shed his utility tag and be the long-term successor to Brian O'Driscoll's No.13 jersey.

The 22-year-old has played at fullback, wing and outside centre and was begining to worry that he needed to settle in one position to avoid becoming the versatile back sitting on the Irish bench.

Earls is currently the leading try scorer in the Six Nations, with three tries to his name this year, and will line up on the wing for Ireland against Scotland on Saturday.

"I'm enjoying playing in the wing but I also liked playing at 13 with Munster before I joined up with Ireland," Earls told the Evening Herald.

"The full-back thing has slipped away. Hopefully in the future I'll be 13.

"I was a bit concerned by my versatility a few months back -- I don't want the number 22 jersey.

"Luke Fitzgerald's injury gave me a chance on the left wing, while if Gordon D'Arcy or Brian O'Driscoll go off for Ireland, I can slot in at 13."