There is a painting in the Ballpark Art section of this site which I painted a few years back and resided in the archives until one of the featured players in the picture took ownership of it. It depicts the regular starting Ulster front row for the season 2002 -03, featuring at tighthead, Springbok Robbie Kempson, New Zealand’s Matt Sexton at hooker and Ireland’s international loosehead Justin Fitzpatrick.
Of this famous trio, Robbie Kempson has since retired and can be heard co commentating on Currie Cup games for SKY TV. Matt Sexton when he quit playing was, Ulster’s loss but Canterbury’s gain as head of their youth Academy.
Justin Fitzpatrick, now a ripe old 35 years of age meanwhile continues to ply his trade at the coalface for Ulster. At the time, this Ulster front row took on all comers in European and domestic competition and came out on top, indeed they were rated by many as one of the best front rows in world rugby.
Only Sexton didn’t have any international caps but that is testimony to the rare talent of one Sean Fitzpatrick, the outstanding hooker in world rugby in this or any other decade. Fitzpatrick (Justin that is), meantime had achieved 26 Irish caps and a European Cup winner’s medal with Ulster. At the end of the 2003 season he headed to France and Castres for two seasons where by his own admission, if I remember right, he honed his scrummaging skills in the Top 14 league.
Fitzy has been back with Ulster since 2005 and has a contract with the team until 2010, by which time he will be a grand old 37 years of age. As he says in his player profile on the UR site:
“I am very glad to be extending my contract at Ulster, the support that the team here at Ravenhill has is fabulous. Ulster rugby has been a major part of my life and I am excited about the direction the team is taking under the guidance of Matt Williams and I am very much looking forward to the next two seasons.”
Ulster fans watching last Sunday’s Northampton/ Worcester GP match to see how Ulster old boys Best, Wilson and Shields faired will not have failed to notice a cameo appearance by a front row forward Tom Smith. He off the legendary Lions in South Africa front row also featuring Keith Wood and Paul Wallace, wee Tam managed a clearance kick to touch from his own 22 last Sunday.
Not that I’m advocating the boul Fitzy hone his rusty kicking skills in aid of Ulster’s cause mind, but it’s not hard to see 35 years young Justin Fitzpatrick, reprising for Ulster in the 2010 Magner’s League, wee Tams effort last Sunday as the oldest player in the GP.
No League for old men?? The betting’s off were the FRU’s president is concerned.
Long may he run!!
(The above is a short on statistic but long on admiration tribute to the rugby longevity of Ulster’s loosehead and FRU Presidente Justin Fitzpatrick.)
Corrections, comments or questions?