Luke Fitzgerald had surgery three weeks ago on four different areas of his groin and abdomen to correct issues that caused injury and ruined last season for him.

The Ireland and Leinster back recently attended Dr Gerry McEntee and a doctor in London, a hip and groin specialist who deals with Premiership football and rugby players, Dr Ernest Schilders.

Following a frustrating period in which Fitzgerald had “dark thoughts” about his career, he now hopes to play again in the first week of September. His recovery period from the surgery is three months but much more than before there seems to be a deadline set for his return.

Fitzgerald’s name is linked to the number 13 position, recently left vacant by the retirement of Brian O’Driscoll.

“This will be right,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve just got to take the time now, let everything heal up, do the rehab correctly. It is just a matter of being exact on the three months”. JOHNNY WATTERSON