Fitzgerald Out For At least 6 Months

The Ireland squad transferred to their Killiney base today ahead of their second game in the 2009 Guinness Series against Fiji in the RDS next Saturday (Kick off 5.15pm).

The six day turnaround will mean a truncated preparation for the Ireland team and 14 players have been added to the squad for this week. This includes several players who were involved in the Ireland A win over Tonga such as Andrew Trimble, Shane Horgan and Brett Wilkinson.

One player who has been forced to withdraw from the squad is Luke Fitzgerald, who suffered a significant injury in an awkward collision and was replaced during the second half against Australia. Following medical review and scans of his left knee, it has been confirmed that Fitzgerald sustained a ruptured lateral collateral ligament that will require surgical repair and intensive post operative rehabilitation. He is scheduled for surgery at the Sports Surgery Clinic on Tuesday, with a projected recovery period of 4-6 months.

The Ireland squad will train tomorrow and the team to play Fiji will be announced at 1.15pm at the team hotel.

Ireland Squad Additions (in addition to players available from match 22 v Australia)
Tony Buckley
Gordon D’Arcy
John Fogarty
Chris Henry
Shane Horgan
Denis Hurley
Felix Jones
Sean O’Brien
Devin Toner
Andrew Trimble
Brett Wilkinson
Fergus McFadden
Kevin McLaughlin
Peter Stringer

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.