LUKE MCGRATH STRIDES into the media room at Leinster HQ with a thick brace on his right knee.
It has become a permanent fixture, both in training and during games, after he sustained medial ligament earlier in the season.
But the rehab and recovery has gone well and the scrum-half is slowly working his way back to full fitness after a number of setbacks.
“It’s been good, I’ve been playing which is a good sign,” he says. “It’s being going well but there are always bits and pieces to improve on and I’ve been concentrating on that.
“I’ve been rehabbing away and when you have weekend off and watch the Six Nations games it makes you hungrier to get back into it.”
After missing a chunk of games before Christmas, McGrath was set to make his return in the high-profile festive interpro against Connacht but was forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to a blister on his foot.
He’s since returned and worked his way into the reckoning having featured in all but one of Leinster’s last five outings.
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McGrath scoring in the recent win over Dragons. Ian Cook / INPHO
Ian Cook / INPHO / INPHO
With the future of Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss uncertain as they reach the twilight of their respective careers, McGrath is conscious of the fact a berth at nine could soon become available.
“I don’t really try and think about that although it has been said,” the former St Michael’s student says.
“If you start thinking about someone else you lose track of your own game so I’ve just been talking to the coaches about specific things I need to improve on and that’s all I can do and see what happens.”
23-year-old McGrath was part of Joe Schmidt’s extended Six Nations panel but ultimately missed out on selection for the championship after struggling for game time.
But he says the experience will stand him in good stead as he looks to earn a senior call-up after playing 18 times for Ireland U20s.
“It was brilliant to be involved in, in the bigger squad and it was only a day in camp but you get a bit more confidence training with them and it’s obviously very difficult in camp so just bringing back points and play well with Leinster.
McGrath is focused on playing regularly for Leinster before thinking about Ireland. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“Joe spoke to me before the Six Nations said you’re going well on this but need to improve and focus on this and he just gave me pointers. He communicates with you which is nice.
“Most scrum-halfs are different, they have their own strengths and weaknesses and Conor [Murray] is going brilliantly and he was really good at the weekend so it’s great to watch him and just pick things up from him as well.
“His box kicking at the weekend was brilliant and that’s something I’ve been working on.”
“When you see the likes of Kieran [Marmion] and Joshie [van der Flier] playing it gives you incentive to follow them. Would have played with them at underage level and it’s great to know the path is there because it’s the same one I want to follow.”
After a week off, McGrath and his Leinster team-mates are settling back into preparation for Friday’s trip to Glasgow.
Victory for Leo Cullen’s charges would see them leapfrog Connacht and into top spot in the Pro12 standings.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us and if we win we can go top and that’s on everyone’s mind. It’s a massive game and it will be very intense over there.”
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'Joe rang and told me the things I need to work on': McGrath hungry to make the step-up
LUKE MCGRATH STRIDES into the media room at Leinster HQ with a thick brace on his right knee.
It has become a permanent fixture, both in training and during games, after he sustained medial ligament earlier in the season.
But the rehab and recovery has gone well and the scrum-half is slowly working his way back to full fitness after a number of setbacks.
“It’s been good, I’ve been playing which is a good sign,” he says. “It’s being going well but there are always bits and pieces to improve on and I’ve been concentrating on that.
“I’ve been rehabbing away and when you have weekend off and watch the Six Nations games it makes you hungrier to get back into it.”
After missing a chunk of games before Christmas, McGrath was set to make his return in the high-profile festive interpro against Connacht but was forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to a blister on his foot.
He’s since returned and worked his way into the reckoning having featured in all but one of Leinster’s last five outings.
With the future of Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss uncertain as they reach the twilight of their respective careers, McGrath is conscious of the fact a berth at nine could soon become available.
“I don’t really try and think about that although it has been said,” the former St Michael’s student says.
23-year-old McGrath was part of Joe Schmidt’s extended Six Nations panel but ultimately missed out on selection for the championship after struggling for game time.
But he says the experience will stand him in good stead as he looks to earn a senior call-up after playing 18 times for Ireland U20s.
“It was brilliant to be involved in, in the bigger squad and it was only a day in camp but you get a bit more confidence training with them and it’s obviously very difficult in camp so just bringing back points and play well with Leinster.
“Joe spoke to me before the Six Nations said you’re going well on this but need to improve and focus on this and he just gave me pointers. He communicates with you which is nice.
“Most scrum-halfs are different, they have their own strengths and weaknesses and Conor [Murray] is going brilliantly and he was really good at the weekend so it’s great to watch him and just pick things up from him as well.
“When you see the likes of Kieran [Marmion] and Joshie [van der Flier] playing it gives you incentive to follow them. Would have played with them at underage level and it’s great to know the path is there because it’s the same one I want to follow.”
After a week off, McGrath and his Leinster team-mates are settling back into preparation for Friday’s trip to Glasgow.
Victory for Leo Cullen’s charges would see them leapfrog Connacht and into top spot in the Pro12 standings.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us and if we win we can go top and that’s on everyone’s mind. It’s a massive game and it will be very intense over there.”
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