Fergus Slattery

Fergus Slattery – Former British Lions and Ireland Rugby Captain. Entertaining After-Dinner Speaker.

Fergus Slattery was born on 12th February, 1949 in Dublin

He played senior rugby for University College Dublin, before beginning his International career aged 20 in January 1970 against South Africa in Dublin.

Fergus Slattery went on to form a formidable back row partnership with John O’Driscoll and Blackrock team mate Willie Duggan, which was rewarded in 1982 with the Five Nations Triple Crown.

He captained Ireland 18 times during his 61 caps and scored 3 tries.

In 1971, he was selected to tour with the British Lions to Australia and New Zealand. He contested with John Taylor for the test place and was finally given the nod ahead of Taylor for the third test. Unfortunately a sore throat on the morning of the game meant that he had to withdraw and he was then unable to regain the place from Taylor for the final test.

Slattery toured again with the Lions in 1974 playing in all four tests and captaining the side for 2 provincial matches.

Slattery made his last appearance for Ireland on 21st January 1984 against France in Paris.

Fergus Slattery shares many amusing anecdotes about his fellow players; the Lions, the Irish rugby set-up in the 1970s; his many tours and, in particular, his time with the successful Irish side in the early 1980s when Ireland won the Triple Crown.