Luke’s case for his defence

LUKE FITZGERALD has long been used to admiring rugby greats and learning from his elders. That comes with the territory when your father happens to be a former international.

For Ireland’s full-back, who grew up watching videos of French stars Serge Blanco and Patrice Lagisquet and was inducted into the game by a prop by the name of Des Fitzgerald, choosing which former players to listen to has to be given serious thought.

Fitzgerald was pleased with his first start for Ireland at full-back in Rome last week, though there were many who singled him out to blame for being out of position as Italy scored their go-ahead try in the 75th minute.