Rugby: France Fitz the bill for Phil – and now he's ready to up the stakes

Published on Tuesday 14 July 2009 09:49

EDINBURGH exile Phil Fitzgerald has vowed the best has still to come as he continues to live a rugby dream with French Division One side Toulon.

The former Watsonians and Boroughmuir front rower has signed up for another year in which Toulon will be joined in their bid to capture a domestic title by – amongst others – Scotland utility back Rory Lamont and England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson. And, having consolidated their place in the top flight having been promoted in 2008-09, Fitzgerald says his aim is to strike out for honours.

"First and foremost I want to try to ensure a settled run in the team but there is a lot to live up to after what was a landmark season just past. I got the call to represent Scotland A (against Georgia at Firhill) and that was a huge thrill which left me wanting more.

"However, if I am to add to my A cap then I have to stay fit and be playing regularly in some top-class company."

Now entering his 12th season with a Toulon club he has previously captained, Fitzgerald, pictured below, originally took advantage of an invite which meant leaving Watsonians and signing up when, initially, he went to France for a year as part of a university course.

Apart from one season back home when he joined Boroughmuir, he has played the bulk of his career on the Cote D'Azur and is easily the longest-serving player at a club whose multi-millionaire owner Mourad Boudjelall has bankrolled periodic signings including leading All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies.

While the likes of Andrew Mehrtens, Victor Matfield, George Gregan and Anton Oliver have come and gone, former Scotland schools and under-21 cap Fitzgerald has remained a constant. "The nearest to me service-wise are a few lads who have been four or five years at the club but during my time here I have seen our approach get increasingly professional.

"In our first season at top level, we were content to survive and now it is time to exploit the fact we know our way around the top league.

"I'd certainly like to add to my representative honours, too, because a shoulder injury just after gaining a Scotland A cap put me on the sidelines at a very unfortunate time.

"Our preparations step up this week with a training trip into the Alps under the direction of new coach Philippe St Andre (ex-Sale) and so far we have been concentrating on hill sprints and weight lifting under new fitness coach, Steve Walsh.

"On our return we will play Brive, Racing Metro and the Australian Super 14 side ACT Brumbies, by way of warm-ups for our opening Championship match against Stade Francais on August 15," says confirmed Francophile Fitzgerald.

As well as Fitzgerald's possible involvement extra interest for Caledonian eyes will centre on the fact that Stade Francais are drawn in the same Heineken European Cup pool as Edinburgh.

"Edinburgh will find Stade Francais have added to their squad by signing French scrum half Julien Dupuy and Scotland full back Hugo Southwell.

"Meantime, Toulon are in the second tier European competition but with high hopes of emerging successful from a group also featuring Saracens and Castres partly based on Jonny Wilkinson's arrival to boost a goal-kicking success rate of only 42 per cent in 2008-09."

While the glamour of the French First Division One has lured a number of stars across the Channel including ex-Scotland captain Jason White to Clermont Auvergne isn't it only natural that 32-year-old Fitzgerald would crave an opportunity to parade his talents on home soil at some stage in his career?

"Home is certainly very special and maybe one day I'd get the challenge of playing professional rugby in Scotland.

"Meantime I am feeling both physically and mentally very fresh and extremely motivated by what lies ahead. It's going to be a massive season for Toulon and I can't wait to play my part."