Fitzgerald to stay as Schmidt adds duo

Luke Fitzgerald has finally signed a deal to keep him at Heineken Cup champions Leinster despite not having his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union renewed.

Fitzgerald’s decision was greetedenthusiastically by Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, who also announced a double overseas signing of a second row and utility back.

“We are also delighted that Luke has committed to the province for another year. Luke is an outstanding talent and he has played a major role in Leinster’s recent success,” said Schmidt of the full-back/wing.

Fitzgerald will not be available for several more weeks, following corrective surgery on a troublesome neck injury.

Meanwhile, Leinster’s worldwide search for a second-row forward ended yesterday with the signing of Western Province youngster Quinn Roux on a one-year deal.

Roux will be joined in Leinster’s finalised panel by New Zealand utility back Andrew Goodman.

Roux, 21, played a key role in helping Western Province to the Vodacom Cup earlier this year and that form saw him make his Super Rugby debut in the 19-14 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in June.

The 6ft 6ins Stormers lock, who weighs in at 120kg, was also a winner of the ABSA Under-21 competition with Western Province in 2010.

Goodman, 29, joins on a one-year, deal with the option of a further year, after recent spells with Nelson RFC where he was the club’s player of the year for three consecutive seasons (between 2006-08).

Schmidt said he was happy with the new signings. “Roux is a physically imposing forward with a burgeoning reputation in South Africa and he will add further competitiveness to the second row alongside Leo Cullen, Damian Browne, Devin Toner and Mark Flanagan, as well as our other recent signing Tom Denton,” he said.

“Goodman is a quality player and has been a consistent place-kicker for a number of years.”