Luke McGrath looks ahead to Saturday’s Champions Cup game against Bath in the RDS Arena.
After picking up a knee injury against Ulster in November, Luke McGrath watched from the sidelines in December as Leinster faced Toulon in back-to-back European games and defeated Munster in Thomond Park, winning 24-7.
The 22-year-old scrum-half was all set for a return to action with a starting role against Connacht, but a late withdrawal due to an foot infection meant he would have to wait another week.
McGrath’s opportunity came with a start against Ospreys in Leinster’s 22-9 win at Liberty Stadium last Friday. A first win at the venue in the PRO12 since 2009 extended the province’s winning streak in the league to seven games, stretching back to the victory over Glasgow Warriors in the RDS Arena back in October.
Next up is a return to European action for the visit of Bath. Although Leinster’s hopes of qualification from the pool stage ended with defeat to Toulon in Aviva Stadium last month, McGrath says the squad are determined to win this weekend.
“This squad is so competitive. We want to win absolutely every game,” the St Michael’s man says.
“We need to come out of Saturday with a win, especially for the supporters that have supported us the whole way, travelled Europe with us. We owe them one, definitely.”
Bath won’t make it easy on Saturday. The English side were narrowly defeated last weekend by Toulon in Stade Mayol by a score of 12-9. With talent throughout their squad, and their chances of quarter-final qualification still alive, they will come fighting for four points.
“They’ve threats all around the pitch. Even watching them against Toulon they were unlucky not to win it,” McGrath says.
“George Ford’s absolutely pivotal for them getting the drop-goals as well. We’re going to have to be very good to beat them on Saturday.”
Leinster face Bath in the RDS Arena on Saturday (KO 5.30pm). Tickets are on sale now.
