Fitzgerald ‘surprised’ at quick elevation

SINCE turning professional during the summer, Luke Fitzgerald simply hasn’t had time to sit and reflect on the heights he has reached in such a remarkably short period of time.

Which is just as well really because the Leinster teenager would, in all likelihood, need treatment for an acute case of vertigo if he did.

Included in the Irish squad for the forthcoming autumn internationals on Tuesday, there was yet more reason to cheer yesterday when he was named in the Leinster squad to face Edinburgh on Saturday — his first involvement in the Heineken Cup.

“I’m really surprised with the Irish call-up. It was brilliant,” this year’s Irish Examiner National Junior Sports star for rugby admitted.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought too much about it. It’s all eyes on this weekend and I’ll think about it after that.”

Fitzgerald discovered about his elevation to Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad when a text message awoke him from a much-needed slumber after what has been a manic few months.

After all, it is only four months since the 19-year old sat his Leaving Cert and a few more since he was captaining the Blackrock senior side in the Leinster Schools Cup.

A son of Des Fitzgerald who was capped 34 times for Ireland, much was expected of the youngster when he joined Leinster in the summer.

But few expected him to be thrust into the limelight so soon. Least of all, Fitzgerald.

“Well, three months ago I would have hoped to be involved in a few ‘A’ games and a few Magners League games. I am happy with how I’m progressing, but I still have an awful lot to learn. I’m just really enjoying this opportunity.”

His six Leinster caps have all been won in the Magners League and he has adapted seamlessly to his new environment since his debut against the Ospreys at the Morfa Stadium.

His meteoric rise is further evidence of Michael Cheika’s willingness to throw young talent into the bear pit.

Last year, Rob Kearney was thrust centre stage in similarly dramatic circumstances and rewarded his coach with a string of glittering performances.

Explained Cheika: “Luke’s just joined in and the one thing I’d say about him and Rob before him is the fact that they understand what’s going to make them good players.

“They know they are not great players; they have got good talent and they know what they need to do. They don’t shy away from the work ethic. I think it’s a really positive thing for Luke, the fact that he is prepared to pay attention to the small details, because they are going to make him a good player.”

Like Kearney, Fitzgerald is hugely versatile. Though he played second centre mostly in his school days, he doesn’t see himself taking that path much further. “Well, Brian O’Driscoll is at second centre here so I can’t see myself getting there too quickly.

“To be honest, I’ll play wherever I can get on the pitch. At Leinster it’s so competitive. It’s unbelievable — you have nearly a whole international back line there.

“So at the moment if I can get any game-time anywhere on the pitch, I would be delighted.”

Fitzgerald is one of four significant additions to the squad which defeated Gloucester in their opening European game in Lansdowne Road last week.

Kearney also returns to the set-up after while Cheika is confident that the injured duo of Chris Whitaker and Cameron Jowitt will be fit to play at Murrayfield on Sunday if required.

LEINSTER (v Edinburgh): Backs: C Whitaker, C Willis, A Dunne, C Warner, F Contepomi, D Hickie, G D’Arcy, B O’Driscoll, K Lewis, L Fitzgerald, S Horgan, G Dempsey, R Kearney.

Forwards: R Corrigan, B Blaney, H Vermaas, W Green, R McCormack, B Jackman, M O’Kelly, T Hogan, O Finegan, A Byrnes, S Keogh, C Jowitt, K Gleeson, J Heaslip.