Always happy to defend his position

RUGBY:IT WAS a classic case of Hobson's Choice for Luke Fitzgerald in the nanoseconds leading up to Italy's try at the Stadio Flaminio last weekend. Opposed by a three-on-one five metres from his own line, he did the right thing in stepping in and trying to effect a man-and-ball smother tackle.

It wasn’t a gamble; it was a positive option, the only other issue relating to timing. The moment was parsed in slow motion, analysed critically, much to the bemusement of the Ireland fullback. “It was really interesting to hear the comments about it, because I was actually in a similar situation where I stepped in against Saracens and that was definitely wrong.

“But last weekend, when you’re close to your line, you don’t say, ‘Oh, I’m going to stand out here and let them go up the line’. Once the attacker gets outside the last defender, as a fullback, you’ve got to step in, that is just the rule.

“It was really interesting hearing, I think it was Conor O’Shea who got that one wrong, talk about that. I think they (Italy) executed quite well and got outside us; credit to them for good handling. We would expect to do better in that situation.

“We lost numbers on the phase before and it was a tricky enough one to defend from there on in but I think we could have done a better job. I probably could have reacted earlier and stepped in earlier, but aside from that it was a difficult one to defend.”

Fitzgerald discharged his basic duties with a measured competence and although not receiving many running chances, almost set up a try with a typically slashing break. On Sunday he knows he will be examined at honours level when France come to the Aviva Stadium.

“They’re challenging, definitely, and there are times you’re going to be really stretched. It’s how you adapt to those tough situations that will be very important. It’s going to be a really tight match-up; especially at home. A few of the players are missing but we’ve Jamie (Heaslip) back this week, which is fantastic because he’s one of our leaders.

“The last time (they came to Dublin) we won, two years ago; we really challenged them and their defence. You can’t sit back against these guys, they’ll just kill you. So we’re going to go at them and try and stretch them.

“I’m hoping we can do that too because that’s the brand of rugby we want to play, an expansive style. We definitely should be able to achieve that as long as we’re a bit more clinical than we were last week.”

Fitzgerald was weaned on the delights of French back play down through the years and singles out Serge Blanco and Patrice Lagisquet as two players he loved watching. But it is a more mundane gambit that is likely to preoccupy his early thoughts on Sunday afternoon.

France’s midfield of Damien Traille (6ft 4in) and Aurelien Rougerie (6ft 3in) will offer a physically imposing challenge under any high ball; they are likely to be the first to arrive to a conventional aerial contest.

Fitzgerald admitted: “It’s something I’ve actually thought about. From my perspective, you’ve just got to hope that guys in front get nudges on them because they are huge men.

“But to be honest, the same things always apply and it’s a very simple thing. I wouldn’t be thinking about getting up in the air early or anything like that, just focus on the ball, get your hands on the ball, stay big and strong and dominate the space.

“Obviously those things become a little more important but you’d rely on what always works for you and being really accurate with those things.”

So what would be on his wish list? “I think we’d love to have a big defensive performance against them. It would be lovely to see our attack come together and really be clinical if we do get opportunities.

“I think some of the guys that made those mistakes; they’ll never make them again. It will still be very important to get it right this week, just for confidence levels and definitely for going on further in the championship.”