Updated at 16.08
“HE’S BEEN OUTSTANDING. Jack McGrath has really shown the world that he is truly world class. Not only with the static bits in the scrum and lineout but the fact that he tops the tackle count every week. All his involvements are quality involvements, so we are looking to get that benefit this week, definitely.” – Marco Caputo, Leinster scrum coach.
THE ABOVE QUOTES summarise the meteoric rise of Jack McGrath. At just 25, the former St Mary’s College schoolboy is already considered an integral player for both Leinster and Ireland.
The loosehead prop played important roles in Ireland’s stunning recent wins over Australia and South Africa.
Yet international rugby must now be pushed to the back of his mind, as Leinster prepare for consecutive upcoming crucial European Champions Cup ties home and away against Harlequins.
The Irish side come into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 18-12 win over Ospreys, having suffered a below-par draw with Treviso previously.
“We were obviously disappointed the week previous getting the draw in Treviso, but you have to look at how [Ospreys] are the top team, top of the league coming over, probably not great conditions,” McGrath says. “They were kicking the ball in behind us. It was hard to get momentum, but I thought we grounded it out quite well.
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“Both teams were missing internationals. Harlequins are going to have all their internationals back. The likes of Joe Marler, (Chris) Robshaw and even Nick Easter — he wasn’t in the English squad, but he’s a serious operator. He’s very experienced and with Danny Care, he’s dangerous. All across the park, they have quality. They’re going to be tough to beat over there.”
In addition, McGrath does not believe the fact that some of Harlequins’ key players featured in England’s defeat of Australia as recently as last weekend will be a key factor during this weekend’s game at The Stoop.
He also paid tribute to fellow prop Joe Marler, as he prepares for what is likely to be an intense battle with the Harlequins skipper.
He also backed another prop — Jamie Hagan — to maintain his encouraging early form, after he recently joined Leinster on a short-term deal from London Irish.
And McGrath himself is feeling confident following the starring role he played in Ireland’s November internationals.
Additional reporting by Niall Kelly
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