Celtic League news:Luke Fitzgerald was fast-tracked into the limelight: awarded his first cap for the last Test match at Lansdowne Road, against the Pacific Islanders in November 2006, despite being a wet week out of school. Eddie O'Sullivan then decided he was surplus to requirements once Gavin Duffy returned to Connacht from England.
After a glittering schoolboy career, Fitzgerald was duly signed up by Leinster. Some 16 months on, he has developed physically and was entrusted with the number 11 jersey for the opening two Magners Celtic League games. He has three tries in the bank already.
The first - a fine individual effort - came against Edinburgh less than 24 hours after France outplayed Ireland in Paris.
The best place for him was undoubtedly the RDS Showgrounds as distinct from collecting splinters on a bench in Paris or, worse, occupying a vantage point alongside the likes of Alan Quinlan and Geordan Murphy in the stand.
"I'm happy with how I have started the season. It was tough to get over not being selected but I had to get over it pretty quickly because there are other things going on here," said Fitzgerald.
They won't be broadcasting it any time soon but the Leinster management must be privately pleased with the selection policy of O'Sullivan these past few months. Every tight decision for the World Cup squad went against a Leinster player.
As a result Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip, Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney all reported for pre-season training.
Malcolm O'Kelly featured for 34 minutes during the whole tournament so he comes back, eh, fresh, while the four starting backs - Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey - also return to the day job in a week or so.
While the World Cup nightmare unfolded, Leinster dismissed a terrible Edinburgh side and last Friday produced the best Celtic League result of the Michael Cheika era by beating Cardiff at the Arms Park with a bonus point.
Fitzgerald started on the wing, where he claimed two tries, before finishing at outside centre - a position some believe could become his natural home.
"My favourite position would be fullback but with Denis retiring I'm happy to play on the wing and stake a claim for that position. Rob (Kearney) is playing some great rugby at fullback. I'd love to get some game time there but that's looking quite tough at the moment," he said.
The mention of Hickie opens up the debate of who should fill the void left by his unexpected departure. Fitzgerald's chief rivals, Gary Brown and Kearney, have also impressed while the internationals have been away.
"Yeah, there is a position up for grabs and the competition is really good at the moment with Gary, Rob and Ross (McCarron). There are other guys as well, like Fionn (Carr), who are playing well."
Cheika's first selection when everyone returns will indicate who has won this internal battle. Fitzgerald, recently turned 20, has a slight lead.
The most notable aspect of Fitzgerald's early-season performances is the confidence to attempt the spectacular. He no longer sees himself as the rookie.
"Yeah, definitely. I feel I am more at the level now. Last year I was still finding my feet. I think physically, especially, because the guys are still much more developed but I have got my head around it so to speak."
Goals? "I have my own personal goals but most of them are set around the team doing well. Everything else stems from that. If the team does well there is a chance of getting picked for the national squad."
