MATT O’CONNOR WAS encouraged by the performance of Luke Fitzgerald in Leinster’s Pro12 victory over Connacht at the RDS on Friday.
The versatile back has had numerous injury problems in recent times, and O’Connor says simply getting Fitzgerald game time is crucial at the moment.
“The key thing is playing for Luke. What not everyone appreciates is that every session he gets better and better. After another 80 minutes, there’s a little bit of continuity to what he does in training.
“There’s a little bit more confidence in relation to him executing the things he wants to execute. And the longer he stays fit, the better he’ll get.”
The Leinster coach also had positive words for Noel Reid, who often has to play second fiddle to first-choice counterpart Ian Madigan.
“Noel’s been very good for us. Unfortunately for him, Ian Madigan’s been playing pretty well. The way he’s been kicking goals, you’ve got to have him on the field, so Noel’s been pretty unlucky at the selection table a couple of times. But he’s still very important for the squad.”
Meanwhile, Zane Kirchner, whose last-minute try ensured the hosts’ win, delivered his “best” performance for the province, according to O’Connor.
“He gave us a real physical presence, which was going to be important at breakdown and defensively. He certainly provided us with a bit of an intimidation factor.”
The Leinster coach also confirmed that Kevin McLaughlin picked up “a bang on the shoulder,” after he was taken off during Friday’s game, and says the seriousness of the injury won’t be known until later in the week.
He’s says Reid has been very good and also you have to have madigan on te pitch yet the very simple answer is to play both of them.
Madigan at 10 Reid at 12 and Luke at 13.
All you have to do is wait for it Matt it will hit you soon enough…………. There it is DROP THE PLAYER WHOS NOT PLAYING WELL.
Seems like an obvious choice for Good Friday but I won’t hold my breath.
Noel Reid is a revelation. Madigan 10, Reid 12, Fitzy 13, then Kirchner and the 2 Kearneys would make us the lethal unpredictable team we used to be.
Oh and also clearing out rucks properly again to give the backs the proper platform could work?
Good to see Luke get another 80 minutes under his belt, if fit, will definitely have a big say in our season in the new year.
Darcy worth his place in world cup squad?
Nah man he’s done.
He wouldn’t start for any top tier nation bar maybe Scotland or Italy. He had a great run but time’s up.
His form isn’t been good enough to get into the Leinster team let alone Ireland at the moment, but I wouldn’t write him off completely just yet. If he can find some form he can still be a good option.
Leinster backline looking much better with Fitzgerald back. Quality player. Great to see him fit and playing well.
Kirchner really showing his quality
Cap Reid Vs. Italy please!
The competition for green 12 and 13 is hotting up. Henshaw, Fitzgerald or Payne for 13, with Olding, Madigan, Reid, Marshall, McCloskey and of course you can’t count out McFadden when he returns.
Schmidt has nearly always used McFadden as a winger.
Madigan, Reid, Fitzgerald would be great to see as a 10,12,13 axis, but it comes with a lot of problems – Madigans lack of game time at 10, Reid is still very raw and I’m not convinced by him defensively (but to be fair, no player is the finished article until they’re given the game time and opportunity to learn) and relying on Fitzgerald as our first choice 13 is only going to work if he can stay fit – and he has a long way to go before anybody is convinces his injury plagued issues are behind him.
No doubt we have the players, but finding the right combination and having enough players of quality fit will be an issue for a bit of time to come, regardless of how incompetent the coach is.
I’m also looking forward to see what Ben Te’o can offer in the 13 slot.
Good to see Luke put in another good 80 , coach singing the praises of Reid and more or less saying there is no other ten, I wonder why Jimmy is un droppable at ten? Any theories anybody ? I can’t understand it if only to give him a rest.