Treaty thoughts for Stephen Fitzgerald as New Zealand loom

Had things gone differently, then former Limerick minor hurler Stephen Fitzgerald might be preparing for a big one in the Gaelic Grounds instead of being part of an Irish squad bidding for glory at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

Nigel Carolan’s men will this evening in Viadana bid to become the first Irish men’s side to defeat New Zealand in any grade of rugby and in the process claim a place in the tournament semi-finals.

The only other occasion they reached the last four was last June when they were defeated by eventual winners England, then putting it up to the Baby Blacks in the third-place play-off before the hosts pulled away.