LUKE FITZGERALD LAST appeared in the green of Ireland against France in August 2011.
Having filled in competently, if not spectacularly, for injured fullback Rob Kearney during that year’s Six Nations, Fitzgerald got two chances on the wing during the World Cup warm-ups.
He replaced Felix Jones on 68 minutes with Ireland trailing 26-8. The Munster man had landed badly and would not be making the World Cup squad.
Ireland lost 26-22 after a late fightback but three of the matchday 22 would suffer the same fate [albeit less painful] as Jones — Mike McCarthy, Tomás O’Leary and Fitzgerald.
The versatile back focused on regaining form with Leinster and was looking good for an international recall, last summer, before he underwent surgery to rectify a niggling neck injury.
His comeback was repeatedly delayed and he had to content himself with growing an impressive Movember moustache and stints as waterboy during league and cup outings.
He featured against Edinburgh in the Pro12 earlier this month and was a try-scoring contributor as Leinster narrowly missed out on a Heineken Cup quater-final slot.
‘Bananas and apples, four for a euro’. (©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Sax appeal
Yesterday’s announcement that Fitzgerald had been named in the Ireland Wolfhounds squad to play England Saxons, on Friday, was no surprise.
Backline players such as Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy have stolen a march on Fitzgerald, in his absence, so he will keen to show his worth in the ‘A’ fixture.
Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss told TheScore.ie, “[Luke's form] is a real pleasing thing. Personally, and as coaches, we’re happy to see Luke back and performing the way he did before he had his injury problems.
“I guess the big thing for Luke over the past two years is, he has been working into fitness after eight, nine, 10 games but it’s nice to see him find his fitness so quickly this time.” He added:
If you went back a ,month you’d be wondering if he was going to be here in the squad but he’s done so well in such a short timeframe and he’s back in the shop window now.”
Kiss feels Fitzgerald has benefited from not chasing scoring chances and allowing the game to come his way.
The Australian said, “When I first came here, he had that in bucket spades. Maybe there was that frustration period where he was trying to get too much done in his game
“It seems like he’s really found his niche. He injects himself at really timely moments… he feels really confident about his ability at the moment.”
*TheScore.ie will be covering all the Wolfounds action and reactions on Friday.
