Caps: 61
Position: Openside Flanker
National team: Ireland
Club team: University College Dublin

Fergus Slattery was born in Dublin on 12th February 1949 and played senior rugby for University College Dublin.  He began his international career in January 1970 against South Africa at the age of 20. He captained Ireland 18 times throughout his career, scoring 3 tries. He helped Ireland to victory in the Five Nations Triple Crown in 1982. He first toured with the British Lions in 1971, then again in 1974 when he played in all four tests. Slattery’s last appearance for Ireland was on 21st January 1984 against France in Paris.

Fergus Slattery was invincible. One of the team of “invincibles”, in fact, who made up the Lions’ touring party to South Africa in 1974 and won the series 3-0.

Rugby legend and new star of the automotive world, the Chevrolet Cruze, came together on a whistlestop tour of Slattery’s native Dublin, starting with Blackrock College where Fergus laid the foundations for his success in the game. Going on to achie ve great things, Fergus challenged convention by combining a full-time job with a standout rugby career – much like the Chevrolet Cruze, which has succeeded in challenging the rules in its own arena.

“My earliest rugby memory is of standing in a field and a ball being kicked into the air, then the realisation that we had to try and catch it. I was probably about eight years old and had never seen a rugby ball in my life,” says Fergus.

With the will to succeed driven into him, he went on to excel during his time at University College Dublin, Ireland’s best men’s senior team at the time. Fergus speaks humbly about that period of his career. A little like the Chevrolet Cruze, then, which doesn’t shout about its credentials but oozes quality in every area, from its superior build to its sophisticated exterior styling. Fergus was soon ready for the international stage, on which he impressed – challenging the rules once again to break out as a tireless and speedy back row player.

Slinging his gear into the Cruze’s roomy interior, Fergus hops into the driving seat and pulls away from the grounds of his old school. Next stop on the tour, a sneak preview of the new home for Ireland’s international rugby and soccer teams: the state-of-the-art Aviva Stadium, which represents all that has changed about the game, just as the Cruze represents advancement in motoring. Visit radiotimes. com/cruze for a sneak peek inside the car and a 360° tour. “The game will keep changing. That is just a fact,” says Fergus.

As Fergus pulls the Cruze up to scenic Coliemore Harbour, his mind wanders back to the glory days; moments triggered by the simple pleasure of driving the Cruze to his favourite beauty spot. Moments he recalls with pride.