McGrath ‘Raring To Go’ As Munster Match Looms

Round 5 of the GUINNESS PRO12 includes some key games, but in the four previous rounds Jack McGrath has already gone through a full gamut of emotions.

He scored a try in the defeat to Glasgow Warriors, was part of a winning side against the Scarlets, lined out in the loss to Connacht and was then ruled out of the win over Cardiff Blues with a minor calf strain.

With Munster to come this weekend, McGrath is looking forward to the getting back into the thick of the action.

“I’m available for selection this week, so raring to go. (Injuries) are part of the game now at this stage, you just have to roll with it,” he said.

Speaking of injuries, one player that Leinster will miss over the next few months is another loosehead prop, Cian Healy. As much as it gives McGrath the opportunity to step up and start more matches, the loss to the Leinster squad is at the forefront of his thoughts.

“It’s pretty unfortunate for us as a squad to lose a world class player like him, but it’s just one of those things – there’s nothing we can do about it.

“It is a good opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to it because it is a big couple of weeks coming. Munster this week is the main focus.”

After a 19-14 defeat for Munster against the Ospreys at Thomond Park last Saturday, McGrath knows how tough it will be against side that will be looking to bounce back with a rare win in Dublin.

“It’s always going to be a tough grind against these guys, Munster always up their game against us. They lost last week, they’ll be looking to turn that around and I suppose for them there’s no better team to turn it around against than the old rivals.”

Against Cardiff, two quick tries from the Welsh side saw them work their way back into the game after Leinster led 27-9 with 20 minutes to go. If Leinster are to stop Munster’s chances of turning things around, McGrath says the team will have to focus for the full 80 minutes.

“Obviously we got the five points but there were a few lapses in concentration when they got their two tries and we sort of let them back in to it fairly handy.

“I think we need to keep our concentration for 80 minutes this week because it’s going to be a one score game. If you let (Munster) back in to it, they’ve proven time and time again that they can go on and win it.

“If you keep them in touch they’re a hard team, hard to break down. It’s really imperative this week that we stay focused for the 80 minutes,” he added.

Leinster face Munster at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday and tickets are still available. Click here to buy your ticket(s) now.