Luke Fitzgerald (born 13 September 1987) is a Rugby Union footballer. He currently plays at winger or centre for Leinster. Having previously studied at Blackrock College he won two Leinster Schools Senior Cups, in 2004 and 2006. He won his first cap for Ireland in November 2006. He is currently studying in University College Dublin. Fitzgerald has earned the nickname “Pivot” from Leinster and Irish rugby fans due to his exciting runs and sidesteps from broken play.

Family and personal life

An Irish speaker, Fitzgerald has a particular interest in the language.^[1] He played hurling at underage level.^[2] In Gaelic football, he is a fan of the Dublin senior football team.^[3] He is a non-drinker.^[4] Fitzgerald’s father Des also played international rugby for Ireland, earning 34 caps at prop between 1984 and 1992.

Schools Rugby

Luke played for the Blackrock College Senior Cup Team from 2004-2006, winning two Leinster Senior Cup Medals, in 2004 and 2006. He also won a Leinster Junior Cup Medal in 2003, beating Gonzaga College SJ in the final.

He was the 2005 Irish Examiner Young Rugby Player of the Year.

After leaving school, Luke joined renowned south Dublin club Blackrock College RFC, a natural transition from schools to club rugby.

Representative Rugby

Luke played four matches for the Leinster Schools’ Representative team.

In his fifth year Fitzgerald played three games for the Irish Schools team.

While in his final year he played three matches for the Leinster Under 19’s, all as Captain.

He also won the Irish Examiner Young Player of the Year for the 2005/06 season.

Professional Rugby

Provincial

After leaving school Fitzgerald has become a regular in the Leinster Magners League squad. He scored his first try for the province against Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup, having come on as a substitute in a game Leinster ultimately lost 25-24. Fitzgerald was part of the Leinster team who beat Leicester Tigers (19-16) to win the 2008–09 Heineken Cup.

International

In October 2006 he was named in the Ireland squad for the Autumn series of internationals. After a strong performance against the ‘Mid Week Wallabies” playing for Ireland A he won his first cap on November 26 2006 against the Pacific Islands.^[5] In doing so, he became the youngest player to play for Ireland in 29 years. He also became the 999th player to be capped for Ireland .^[6] Fitzgerald is regarded as an excellent player for Ireland’s future ^[7] and his progress will be carefully monitored by his coach Michael Cheika at Leinster.

After much public demand Fitzgerald was finally given a chance in the centre during Ireland’s recent match with the Barbarians . He had a fine game putting in a lot of tackles, notably on Lesley Vainikolo. He was due to earn a second cap in the centre against the All Blacks. His centre partner would have been Brian O’Driscoll. He was forced to withdraw from this match due to an ankle injury. He was a member of the victorious Ireland team that won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam where he played on the wing and started every game. ^[8]

On 21 April 2009, Fitzgerald was named as a member of the British and Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa and made his test debut on 27 June against South Africa,^[9] during which he was eye-gouged by Schalk Burger, earning Burger a yellow card and later an eight week ban.^[10] Fitzgerald believes Burger should have been sent off for gouging his eyes, “I went into the ruck, got cleaned out and felt a hand going for my eyes,”Given the seriousness of the allegations… you would have to say it was probably a red card.” ^[11]

References