Injured Fitzgerald keeping one eye on the opposition

LUKE FITZGERALD’S recovery is on course for an end of season return, but in the meantime he has been helping his side prepare for tomorrow night’s Heineken Cup clash with Clermont-Auvergne.

The 22-year-old has been watching tape after tape of the Top 14 outfit to monitor fly-half Brock James’ kicking game.

“I was looking after a small part of the video analysis,” Fitzgerald revealed. “It was interesting looking at them.

“I always do it anyway, but getting a bit more in depth was good. I had to produce a report on it. They’re a top quality team – they have a star studded line-up and it’s hard to pick out what team they’re going to play. Gordon D’Arcy has pointed out that they used six different centre combinations in their last six games. But, no matter what side they pick, they’re going to be a tough challenge. Everyone’s excited but they’re aware how dangerous a fixture it is for us.”

Fitzgerald’s own excitement is tempered by the feeling of frustration that he has felt since injuring his knee against Australia in November.

And while he is on course for a return at the end of the season, he says a place in Declan Kidney’s touring party to New Zealand and Australia remains unlikely.

“It’s always tough to watch from the sidelines,” he said.

“You never want to be injured. When you’re getting paid to play sport, it’s what you want to be doing and you feel like you’re not doing enough and getting money for nothing. I’ll be hoping to be fit by the end of the season.”

But he doesn’t expect a call from the trip down under. “I just think with everybody playing so well in the positions I’ve been picked in, I don’t think it’s realistic even if I was available for selection. I think it’ll be just at the wrong time, I don’t think I’ll have played any rugby at that stage so I don’t think it’s realistic. I’ve got to work my way back up from the bottom rung so that’s the way it is. It’s a big shame.”