SHANE HORGAN WANTS to see utility back Luke Fitzgerald get more game time in midfield – for club and country.
The 28-year-old has struggled with injury in recent years and has long been touted as as an option at centre, inside or outside, but he has played most of his professional rugby on the wing.
He has experience at both midfield positions but it is the 13 shirt that Horgan believes Fitzgerald is best suited to.
“I’d really like to see Luke Fitzgerald play consistently at centre, from an Ireland perspective as well as a Leinster perspective,” Horgan said. “Luke is generally world class and I’d like to see him given a chance.”
“I think Luke is probably a more logical 13, he is very adept at an outside break, he has genuine speed and he’s a good footballer. I think he needs more time to play at 13 though because there are a lot of decisions to be made there.”
At Leinster, Horgan believes Fitzgerald and Kiwi rugby league convert Ben Te’o could form a formidable midfield partnership — combining Fitzgerald’s speed and skills with the explosive ball carrying and offloads of Te’o.
And in Leinster’s Champions Cup clash with Toulon in France on Sunday, Horgan believes the midfield battle will be crucial.
Especially with the likes of World Cup winner Ma’a Nonu and French powerhouse Mathieu Bastareaud looming as a possible partnership for the reigning champions.
“I think it is going to be an important part of the game,” the former Leinster back said.
“It has been a real issue for Leinster – I don’t think there has been any continuity in the selections at centre. That is largely down to injuries and the World Cup. And of course Gordon D’Arcy has left and Brian O’Driscoll left the year before.
“Te’o has been injured a bit but he has been impressive carrying the ball. He tends to bite in a little bit defensively so he can be exposed when the ball is moved wide but he carries the ball very explosively and he can offload.
And if we have seen anything over the past 12 months of rugby it’s how important it is to be able to offload the ball. And it comes to him very naturally.
“I think it’s important though that they don’t just use Ben Te’o as a battering ram. They need to give a little bit more thought when he is carrying that he is likely to get an offload.
“And that means your trail runners have to run slightly different angles and they have to be there to accept those offloads.”
Sky Sports has exclusively live European rugby this festive season, including the Toulon v Leinster Champions Cup match on Sky Sports 3 this Sunday from 3pm, and the reverse fixture exclusively live on 19 December.