“It’s a funny one, because I don’t think your time with Ireland is over yet.”
Back in November, Luke McGrath got the call that brought massive relief and told him there was still a chance.
Capped 19 times for Ireland between 2019 and the 2019 World Cup, the Leinster scrumhalf has yet to play a Test for Andy Farrell. He has been called into a couple of training camps but he remains stuck in the teens.
Last November, a couple of days after Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, McGrath got the call to come in and train with the squad for the week of the Argentina game. Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park was not being risked and he came in for reps. He did not feature against Los Pumas, but it showed Farrell still had him in his thoughts.
On the latest House of Rugby URC [LISTEN from 24:00 below], McGrath spoke about his Ireland hopes, his greatest memories in a green jersey and how he could still represent Canada in Test rugby.
Jack Conan, left, and Luke McGrath arrive for Ireland rugby squad training at Carton House in November 2021. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)Luke McGrath on Irish memories and future caps
Since the 2019 World Cup, McGrath has played 47 times for Leinster [38 starts], scored 10 tries, captained his province on a number of occasions and win two more league titles.
Farrell initially went with Jamison Gibson-Park, reverted back to Conor Murray and, last November, started the Leinster scrumhalf in wins over the USA, Japan and New Zealand. Conor Murray started against Argentina, with Craig Casey coming off the bench.
“Myself and Jamison do get on really well,” McGrath says, “but is is incredibly competitive for that jersey… we have a great relationship and try to make each other better, every single day. We battle it out on the pitch, but we’re great friends off it.”
As for his greatest achievement in a green jersey, McGrath immediately answers with the 16-9 win over New Zealand, at Aviva Stadium, in November 2018.
“It was unbelievable… that was my most memorable day, representing Ireland. The atmosphere of that was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
“I love representing Ireland and, hopefully, I get another chance to do it.”
There have been no recent chats with Farrell, but there was an “honest” catch-up when he was called into the squad, last November. “Hopefully I’m not too far away,” he adds. “You’ve just got to accept these things. The only way you’re going to get picked is if you’re playing well with Leinster.”
Oh Canada!
Late last year, it was confirmed that World Rugby would consider cases of players seeking to represent their birth nation in Test matches, as long as they had not played for their adopted country for three years.
While players such as Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau [both All Blacks] are now hoping to represent their native Tonga, Luke McGrath’s name was mentioned in a few dispatches and XV selections. Asked by a House of Rugby listener if he would be open to playing for Canada, McGrath explained:
“I was born in Canada. My parents were there for about four years.
“I never really thought about it. I’m still looking at, hopefully, playing for Ireland again. It’s something I’ve never even thought of but, yeah, it’s a good question.”
“It’s good to have the option, isn’t it?” he added. “For lads that were born elsewhere… Canada is a good spot, like!”
McGrath turns 29 this week, and he is still starting regularly for one of the northern hemisphere’s top clubs, in Leinster. The towel has certainly not been thrown yet, and his club form will always have him in the conversation for Ireland squads.
Still, one wonders if Canada could yet come calling if another Test window or two passes without an Ireland recall for McGrath.
They missed out on the 2023 World Cup after losing to Chile, so all eyes in the Great White North will be on qualifying for the 2027 edition. A veteran McGrath could certainly help steer that ship.
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