MURPHY LOOKS TO FUTURE
eagerly anticipated over this double-header and scrum-half Mcgrath said: “We’ve a massive challenge on our hands.
“It’s about building on the Glasgow performance which wasn’t perfect but it was an effective game plan and we implemented it really well.
“But Exeter are an incredible side. They hold on to the ball so well. Our defence is going to be tested like it probably hasn’t been to date this season.
“Some of the phases they go
through, 20 to 30 phases, and then you think you have them but they end up scoring a try.
“Their ball retention is brilliant so it’s a massive challenge ahead. They play a really wide game with Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade.
“And once they get into the 22, their pick-and-goes, their mauls, it just shows the variety they have. We have to be ready for everything.”
While Leinster is the immediate focus, privately Mcgrath will be out to catch Ireland coach Joe Schmidt’s eye in the weeks ahead with a view to making the
Six Nations squad.
He won his fifth and sixth caps in last month’s Guinness Series wins over Fiji and Argentina – but only got a combined five minutes off the bench. Mcgrath and
DLFConnacht Kieran Marmion are duking it out behind Conor
Murray for the green No9 shirt and the 24-year-old appreciates he has to walk before he can run. “I was delighted to be involved in the two games,” he said. “Obviously I didn’t get much game time but I have to look at it as a positive.
“Every time you get to pull on the Irish jersey – for two or for 80 minutes – I’m always delighted to do it.” JORDI MURPHY is relishing the ‘exciting challenge’ ahead at Ulster.
The Ireland international (inset) is to leave Leinster at the end of the season and relocate at the Kingspan Stadium.
Murphy, 26, has made 95 appearances for Leinster since making his debut in 2011, weighing in with 17 tries. He has been capped 18 times for Ireland. The back row ace said: “Having attended Leinster games in Donnybrook and in the
RDS, it was a dream to play for Leinster and to run out as often as I have done in front of such brilliant support.
“It’s something I’m very proud of but after long consideration and at this stage in my career, this move to Ulster is an exciting challenge and one that I’m very much looking forward to.
“Of course, until then, all my efforts will be geared towards helping Isa and the rest of the squad achieve as much as we can on two fronts with Leinster.”