Luke Fitzgerald On The Rugby Coach He Could Never Forgive

“I never really forgave him for it.”

Luke Fitzgerald enjoyed a rather impressive career with both Ireland and Leinster. The utility back lifted two Six Nations, with one being a Grand Slam, as well as lifting domestic and European honours with Leinster.

He was also selected to tour with the British & Irish Lions in 2009, but unfortunately never really got his chance at a Rugby World Cup with Ireland.

He missed out on selection in 2007, and was famously dropped by Declan Kidney in 2011, a moment he calls the worst of his career. Speaking to Des Berry in The Herald, he says he’s never been able to forgive Kidney ever since.

“Declan Kidney telling me in 2011 that I wasn’t going to make the World Cup,” Fitzgerald said.

“That really, really pissed me off. I never really forgave him for it. He was a nice fella but from a rugby perspective, I hated him.”

Interestingly his career highlight came during a brief Rugby World Cup moment in 2015, when he came off the bench to star against Argentina. Unfortunately his impact wasn’t enough as Ireland ended up ultimately losing the game, being dumped out of the competition in the process.

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