RUGBY NEWS:LUKE FITZGERALD'S representatives are reputedly close to reaching a deal with the IRFU regarding a new contract but the unfortunate Leinster winger will miss the rest of the season, including the Heineken Cup final in a fortnight's time and Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand, to undergo surgery for an ongoing neck problem.
This is the same injury which sidelined him from Christmas until March, effectively scuppering his Six Nations chances. Lamenting the untimely loss for the team and the player himself, Joe Schmidt said: “Luke has been in fine form recently and as well as his capabilities on the field, he is a positive and popular presence within the dressing-room. Knowing Luke, he will be determined to overcome this setback and aggressively tackle his rehab to regain full fitness.”
Leinster’s opponents at Twickenham, Ulster, yesterday confirmed that Ian Humphreys, starting outhalf until the Heineken Cup semi-final and brother of Ulster’s director of rugby, David Humphreys, is joining London Irish next season.
Humphreys returned to Ulster after three years at Leicester in 2008 and since his return he has made 81 appearances and scored 617 points. He started throughout last season’s run to the quarter-finals and again this season, notably when scoring all his side’s points in the 16-11 home win over Clermont Auvergne, before being dropped for the semi-final against Edinburgh.
That must have hurt but apparently negotiations with London Irish had been in place almost since Brian Smith returned to Irish as director of rugby. Smith, a long time fan, had tried to sign Humphreys from Leicester and, after being released from the final 12 months of his contract at Ulster, the 30-year-old has agreed a lucrative contract.
“Playing for my home Province has been the pinnacle of my career and I have savoured every moment,” said Humphreys in a statement yesterday. “However, after discussions with Brian Smith I have decided to join London Irish on a long-term deal.”
Humphreys has again been named on the bench for Ulster, with Paddy Jackson given more game time, in what is likely to be their last Rabo Direct Pro 12 game of the season against Munster at Thomond Park today. All of the final round of games kick-off at 7.30 this evening, with Ulster requiring a bonus point win and other results to go their way to progress to the play-offs.
“We realise it’s unlikely,” Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin conceded yesterday, and rather than run the risk of picking up injuries to his frontline team, he has instead opted to risk resting the vast majority of them for two weeks.
Captain Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris are among those excused duty, with only five of their semi-final starting XV lining up tonight. Given the expected return of John Afoa for the final and the possibility of Chris Henry returning from injury, as few as three of their probable Heineken Cup final starting team are being risked.
Tony McGahan, in charge for his last game at Thomond, has made just two changes, recalling Ivan Dineen and Wian du Preez, in what will also be a Thomond farewell for the departing Tomás O’Leary (also heading to London Irish) and Lifeimi Mafi.
Leinster (away to the Dragons) and the Ospreys (away to Aironi) have already been assured of home semi-finals, while Munster are guaranteed to finish in the top four, but whether third or fourth remains to be seen, with Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets and Ulster in contention for the last spot.
Were Munster to gain a modicum of revenge for their Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Ulster a month ago, it would assure them of third place and with it a semi-final away to the Ospreys next Friday, thereby keeping alive the possibility of successive all-Irish finals. Defeat though, could well see them drop to fourth and thus face a semi-final away to Leinster at the RDS next Saturday. Two match points from their game at home to Connacht will ensure Glasgow of at least a fourth place finish, which would see them face Leinster in next Saturday’s second semi-final. Should Glasgow falter, it could open the door for the Scarlets or, at a push, Ulster. Rugby: page 7
