‘Fergus’, born in Dublin,
played senior rugby for University College Dublin, before beginning
his International career in 1970.
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.
Another
player with long golden shanks, Slattery' distinctive appearance
and marauding loose forward play labeled him as another
player to watch for the future – excepting that an unsuspecting
punch against Canterbury left him with an ugly mouth injury
that required a plate for the majority of the tour. Slattery
toured again in 1974 playing in all four tests and captaining
the side for 2 provincial matches.