Rugby: Fergus McFadden continues to reap the rewards of a positional change that has propelled him into the Ireland team. In less than a year McFadden has progressed from being a fringe player at Leinster to a starter in Saturday's RBS Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.
The catalyst for his change in fortunes has been his recent switch from centre to wing, where he has proved a revelation. When the injury crisis that has struck the Irish camp also tore through the back three, claiming Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan, his selection became a formality.
It continues a remarkable change in fortunes for the 24-year-old, who feared for his future at Leinster just 12 months ago.
“I always backed myself to get into the Leinster team eventually but Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll have probably the best centre partnership in Europe,” he said. “There was a period at the start of the last year when I was wondering if my future was at Leinster, even though my heart has always been there.
“Thankfully I got a chance on the wing because (Leinster coach) Joe Schmidt wanted to get the best players on the pitch. Napolioni Nalaga, the right winger for Clermont, was quite big so Joe was looking for someone more physical to mark him when we played in December.
“He asked me if I was happy to play there and I said ‘of course’. I showed up well and have kicked on from there, really enjoying it.”
McFadden, who was named player of the tournament at the 2009 Churchill Cup, sees his long-term future at centre but appreciates the opportunity a change in jersey has presented.
“Playing on the wing has added another string to my bow,” he said. “There’s a World Cup around the corner and you’ve got to have that in the back of your mind. It’s a competitive squad at the best of times. Down the line I’d like to think I’m a centre but at the moment I’m enjoying it on the wing.
“You don’t get your hands on the ball as much but your involvement is really important, it can win you games sometimes. I like to think I’m a bit of a footballer and that I can play in a few positions. I’ve got the pace to be there as well. On the wing I feel like I get involved, coming off my wing. I like to do the basics well and if I get an opportunity for a one-on-one I like to back myself.”
McFadden forms a back three also comprising Leinster colleague Luke Fitzgerald, who has been picked at fullback, and Munster’s Keith Earls.
Tomás O’Leary has been paired alongside Jonathan Sexton at halfback after missing the November series with a hand injury. Leinster prop Mike Ross is given the tighthead duties for his first championship start with Rory Best of Ulster returning at hooker, shaking off a rib injury to do so.
Lions captain Paul O’Connell makes his first Test appearance since last year’s Six Nations having won his battle with a groin problem.
The injury crisis has claimed Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris — Ireland’s best performers last autumn — so Denis Leamy of Munster starts at blindside flanker.
Leinster’s Seán O’Brien is selected at number eight with openside David Wallace completing the backrow. In total there are nine changes to the side that ended the autumn with a record victory against Argentina.
