23 YEAR-OLD LEINSTER centre Brendan Macken has signed for Gloucester on loan until the end of the season.
Having come through the province’s academy, the former Blackrock College man has racked up 46 appearances since his debut against Glasgow Warriors back in the 2009/2010 campaign while he’s also represented Ireland at U20 level.
But, having played just five times this season, the chance of regular game-time with the AVIVA Premiership side represents a good opportunity.
Advertisement
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor commented on the move:
“The reality is that we have a very competitive environment here and Brendan is a young player who wants to play on a regular basis to improve and kick on to the next level. There is an opportunity for him at Gloucester to get that game time between now and the end of the season and I think it’s an arrangement that will benefit everyone. We wish Brendan the very best of luck with the move.”
With Henry Trinder recently ruled out for the rest of the season, Gloucester needed reinforcements and with yesterday representing a final opportunity to register new players, they identified Macken as a top target.
Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
David Humphreys, the team’s Director of Rugby, confirmed Macken is being signed as injury cover but that he also has a chance to show what he’s got.
“We are currently without a number of backs for various reasons, and we have a number of important fixtures coming up in the remaining weeks of the season. I know Brendan very well from my Guinness PRO12 days. He is a talented young player who will bring both pace and a physical presence to the midfield. He will arrive in the next couple of days and start training next week.
“Yes, he’s coming in as injury cover, having said that the challenge will be laid down to him that in any opportunity he gets he has to impress the coaches.”
Leinster's Brendan Macken joins Gloucester on loan
23 YEAR-OLD LEINSTER centre Brendan Macken has signed for Gloucester on loan until the end of the season.
Having come through the province’s academy, the former Blackrock College man has racked up 46 appearances since his debut against Glasgow Warriors back in the 2009/2010 campaign while he’s also represented Ireland at U20 level.
But, having played just five times this season, the chance of regular game-time with the AVIVA Premiership side represents a good opportunity.
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor commented on the move:
“The reality is that we have a very competitive environment here and Brendan is a young player who wants to play on a regular basis to improve and kick on to the next level. There is an opportunity for him at Gloucester to get that game time between now and the end of the season and I think it’s an arrangement that will benefit everyone. We wish Brendan the very best of luck with the move.”
With Henry Trinder recently ruled out for the rest of the season, Gloucester needed reinforcements and with yesterday representing a final opportunity to register new players, they identified Macken as a top target.
David Humphreys, the team’s Director of Rugby, confirmed Macken is being signed as injury cover but that he also has a chance to show what he’s got.
“We are currently without a number of backs for various reasons, and we have a number of important fixtures coming up in the remaining weeks of the season. I know Brendan very well from my Guinness PRO12 days. He is a talented young player who will bring both pace and a physical presence to the midfield. He will arrive in the next couple of days and start training next week.
“Yes, he’s coming in as injury cover, having said that the challenge will be laid down to him that in any opportunity he gets he has to impress the coaches.”
11 Ireland v England battles that will be settled once and for all this Sunday
Ireland’s women beat world champions England to boost Six Nations hopes
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Blackrock College RFC Brendan Macken David Humphreys Leinster matt o'connor Short-term Gloucester Rugby