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Ex-Leinster centre Macken signs new deal with Premiership side Wasps

The 24-year-old joined Dai Young’s squad last summer.

IRISH CENTRE BRENDAN Macken has signed a new two-year contract with Aviva Premiership side Wasps.

24-year-old Macken came through the academy at his home province Leinster and featured for the senior side 46 times over the course of six seasons, including two starts in the Heineken Cup under Matt O’Connor in the 2013/14 campaign.

LeinsterÕs Brendan Macken Macken has been capped by Emerging Ireland. Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

Eager for increased game time, Macken joined Gloucester on loan in the second half of last season, before making a permanent switch to Wasps on a one-year deal last summer.

The former Leinster Schools Senior Cup winner has now extended that contract for a further two seasons after impressing director of rugby Dai Young, meaning Macken will be with Wasps until the summer of 2018 at least.

Leinster tighthead Marty Moore is set to join the highly-ambitious and swiftly-rising English club at the end of the current season, having turned down an offer to stay in Ireland.

Macken has played twice in the Premiership this season for Wasps as he battles with the likes of Ben Jacobs, Alapati Leiua, James Downey and new England call-up Elliot Daly for a midfield berth. The former Blackrock College student has scored three tries in this three most recent appearances for the club’s A team.

It was a no-brainer signing a new contract as I have loved my time here at Wasps so far. The players and coaching staff have been great and it’s such an exciting place to be at the moment, so I’m really looking forward to being part of everything going forward,” said Macken.

“Playing at the Ricoh Arena, with all the facilities there, is amazing and I’m looking forward to moving up to the West Midlands over the summer.

“There’s a huge amount of talent in the squad and competition for places is really driving the players on in training. Like everyone, I’m working hard to improve my all-round game and am focusing on doing the simple things well. When given the opportunity, I will just try to take it with both hands.”

Fullback Rob Miller and wing Josh Bassett have also penned new deals with Wasps, although Young said the club were “really disappointed” to confirm that promising out-half Alex Lozowski will move to Saracens next season.

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22 Comments
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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:48 AM

    Imagine the howls of outrage and the screams of “Waaayyyycism!” on the journal if the situation was reversed!

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    Mute Güneşin Tadını Çıkar
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:05 AM

    But this is racism but not in the right way so no one will talk about it, no one likes to talk about racism against white people.

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    Mute VinHeffer89
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:33 AM

    An everyday example of the double standards that exist with race relations.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:07 PM

    I couldn’t possibly say whether Mike Tyson is racist – he may be, he may not be – but what I can say is that if this story was reversed, the Journal’s house woollies (regular readers know who they are) would have been all over this story like a rash. As it is they’re conspicuous in their absence.

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    Mute Ron North
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:46 PM

    Well including this thread there are currently 5 of the 14 comments on this page alluding to the fact that his remark was racist, that’s 36% of the comments on the page. Considering the guys other flaws that’s a pretty good hit rate.

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    Mute Grot Master
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    Aug 16th 2015, 5:17 PM

    So what if he’s a rapist, he was a damn good boxer.

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    Mute Grot Master
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    Aug 16th 2015, 5:17 PM

    *racist* Bloody auto correct.

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    Mute Jacques_DaCosta
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    Aug 17th 2015, 1:11 AM

    Spike Lee is an overt racist yet he gets away with it even being nominated for Academy Awards.

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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:59 AM

    Why is this animal kept in the spot light. He’s a convicted rapist and has done his sport no favours in bitting his opponents. He also feels it’s appropriate to call someone a “white motherf***er”. If he was called a black motherf***er it would be racist. He’s been in films, had huge air time on TV and Radio, it just doesn’t make sense. Can we not cut this guy loose and find decent people in the world to fill the role he’s occupying.

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    Mute Jacques_DaCosta
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:01 PM

    You can analyse and criticize till the cows come home but there’s only one conclusion you can arrive at.
    Mike Tyson had no choice but to become Mike Tyson.
    He was a boxer. A ruthless fighting machine. A man in a brutal sport trying to survive.
    He was born for the ring.

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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:09 PM

    And that makes raping ok then? Seriously we all have a huge part to play in who we become. External factors influence but not decide who we want to be.

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    Mute Nick Nolan
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:59 PM

    Polarising characters be it positive or negative will always fascinate people, the media and of course people that can make money off their back.

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:09 AM

    Looking for Doug……

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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:10 AM

    Role models must be petty thin on the ground these days

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    Mute WJH
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:58 AM

    Why is this bullying rapist still being glorified today???

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    Mute AlexOlsenRox
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:06 PM

    Cause he is awesome

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    Mute WJH
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:19 PM

    So you think rape is awesome??? You pathetic fool

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    Mute John James
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:07 AM

    Mind your ears son mike is hungry …….

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Aug 16th 2015, 1:43 PM

    Mike Tyson’s Autobiography is a great read but it can easily be summarised in three words: Boxing, women, cocaine.

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    Mute Eamonn Connaghan
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    Aug 16th 2015, 7:48 PM

    Don’t forget , rape.

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    Mute Denise Friary
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    Aug 16th 2015, 4:05 PM

    He should be still in prison how he is allowed into Europe never mind Ireland baffles me because he is a convicted sex offender.

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    Mute Kalon Dillon
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    Aug 16th 2015, 7:09 PM

    relax he’s not racist sure he was practically adopted by white folks. it’s just how them brooklyn boys talk.

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    Mute Jacques_DaCosta
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:31 PM

    Sun Kil Moon’s ‘Ghosts of the Great Highway’
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjA3EbKsl4E&list=PL9C56160C8E63F654
    One of the best albums of the last ten years.
    Pays tribute to some boxing legends who died too young. Particularly poignant is Duk Koo Kim died in the ring against Ray Mancini, trying to haul himself to his feet with his last breath.
    Changed the sport forever.
    Well worth a listen.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBBqLPUxddc

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    Mute captain ireland
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    Feb 19th 2016, 10:04 PM

    A black man cannot be racist

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