It’s win or bust

Joe Schmidt may be trying to play down expectations ahead of his first RBS 6 Nations campaign but Luke Fitzgerald, who revealed he briefly considered retirement when struggling with a neck injury in 2012, has set winning the championship as his target.

The Leinster winger has been in blistering form this season after making a splendid recovery from his second knee ligament injury, despite having to continue managing his body following those setbacks and the double fusion surgery in his neck. He has just two tries in his 27 caps for Ireland but with his former club boss at the helm at international level now, opportunities to improve that ratio are likely to increase. And they will probably have to, if his aim in the Six Nations of going all the way is to be achieved.

“I don’t think I do anyone any disrespect or disservice by saying I want to win the thing. Simple as. I think anything less than first place, you’re a loser, aren’t you?