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'Chance to develop his game': Jersey bring in Irish prop McGrath

(Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Jersey Reds have confirmed the signing of Irish tighthead Greg McGrath ahead of the start of the 2022/23 Championship campaign. The 25-year-old had been a free agent since getting released by Connacht at the end of last season, the front-rower being named on May 10 as one of a dozen players to exit the Irish province following a URC season that ended with them in eleventh place.

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McGrath spent just a single season in Galway, starting twice and making five other appearances off the bench after he had joined from Leinster where he made a single appearance – a six-minute cameo as a replacement versus Glasgow in February 2021.

A Jersey statement on McGrath read: “The 25-year-old, who was born in Wexford and attended Bridgetown College, represented Ireland at U20s level in 2017 and was part of the set-up at Leinster, also playing club rugby for Lansdowne, prior to making the move to Connacht in 2021.”

Director of rugby Harvey Biljon added: “Greg has fitted in well since he arrived on the island a few weeks ago and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action in a game. He had few opportunities during his time in Ireland and should now be able to take the chance to develop his game.”

Jersey begin a hat-trick of friendly matches against Gallagher Premiership opposition when reigning champions Leicester visit this Friday. Games against London Irish and Bath are also pencilled in before their Championship campaign starts with a trip to Ampthill before the hosting of Coventry at home on September 17.

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RedWarrior 3 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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