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'Big leg day' video shows free agent Jack McGrath is fighting back
By Liam Heagney
Ex-Ireland loosehead Jack McGrath – who featured in all three 2017 Lions Test matches versus the All Blacks – has been charting his return to fitness as a free agent on Instagram. It was May 26 when a statement from Ulster confirmed that the soon-to-be 33-year-old with 56 Ireland caps was being released after three seasons at the club he joined from Leinster.
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“Since joining Ulster in summer 2019, prop Jack McGrath has made his presence felt within the province both on and off the pitch,” read the farewell statement at the time. “With 140 appearances for Leinster under his belt when he arrived in Belfast, the Dubliner went on to play for Ulster on 24 occasions, with injury curtailing how many times he has pulled on the white jersey recently.
“McGrath, who is about to undergo further medical treatment, will continue his rehab and journey back to full fitness as a professional player in the months ahead.”
That journey back to full fitness is something that McGrath is now sharing on his social media, uploading a series of videos showing him hard at work in the gym to get fully back up to speed following his injury-hit stint at Ulster.
It was ten weeks ago when he posted the first post-Ulster exit update that showed him cycling on a Watt bike and commenting: “In my (un)happy place, sweat session done. Small steps in part of the journey back.”
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Five more return to fitness videos have since been posted, the latest explaining: “Big leg day today with Conor Corcoran. Massive thanks to the lads at Apollo Fitness. Progressing to the next level with the new sled. I’ll be sore tomorrow.”
It was March this year when McGrath played his last match, starting for Ulster against Cardiff in the URC and playing the first half at Kingspan Stadium before being replaced. His social media bio states that he is a free agent who is rehabbing back to fitness after a double hip resurfacing operation.”
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It hasn’t been all work for McGrath, however, as he was recently in France for the wedding of Peter O’Mahony, the 2017 Lions first Test skipper. “What a great week celebrating… Great memories made with some great people,” he commented.
