Ireland
Ireland winger Luke Fitzgerald faces World Cup fitness race
ESPN Staff
May 5, 2015
Luke Fitzgerald in action
Luke Fitzgerald in action© Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Ireland back Luke Fitzgerald's World Cup preparations have been dealt a blow after he was ruled out of the final two games of Leinster's Guinness Pro12 season by injury.

Fitzgerald underwent surgery on a shoulder tear this weekend and may be sidelined until August, meaning he is unlikely to be able to take part in Ireland's full World Cup preparations, which begins in July and involves four warm-up fixtures in August and September.

He will definitely miss his province's scramble for Champions Cup qualification but Leinster forwards coach Leo Cullen played down fears about his fitness for the World Cup, which begins in September.

"Luke Fitzgerald has had an issue with his shoulder and that is being repaired as well," said Cullen in the Irish Independent. "Basically, it's a repair to his labrum, he suffered a bit of damage there. He only got it done at the weekend so it's a bit early to say. We'll find out more as the week goes on in terms of how long it might be. He will certainly be out for the next two weeks. I don't think it's a World Cup issue."

Fitzgerald joins Leinster team-mates Marty Moore and Sean Cronin in having his season prematurely ended by shoulder surgery.

© ESPN Staff

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices