Skivington confirms the shortterm signing of prop Maguire

» GEORGE Skivington has confirmed that Gloucester Rugby have signed Irish prop Conor Maguire from PRO14 side the Dragons on a short-term deal.

Reports in Wales Maguire, 23, left the Dragons after securing a deal with the Cherry and Whites, and head coach Skivington said: “He has come in on a trial basis and he is with us and is presenting himself really well at the moment. He is contracted to us for the next few months.”

Maguire, who is 5ft 10in and 15st 8lbs, moved from Leinster, where he was on the fringes of the training squad, to Rodney Parade last March to aid an injury crisis in the front row at the Welsh club.

After arriving he made a brief cameo against Benetton in the Guinness PRO14 but then the competition was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However the loosehead, who is nicknamed ‘The Bull’, returned after lockdown and played in the Dragons’ derby fixtures against the Ospreys and Scarlets in August, impressing enough to earn a short-term deal to cover for injuries.

He went on to make substitute appearances against Leinster, Munster, Glasgow and Bordeaux-begles making seven appearances in all.

Maguire enjoyed a successful age grade career as he came through the ranks of Boyne RFC in Louth and went on to play rugby for Leinster at U18, U19, and U20 level, as well as representing the Ireland U18s and U19s.

In 2016, Maguire made a move to Old Wesley RFC, where he has played for four years, impressing in the AIL while also winning caps for Ireland Universities and Ireland Clubs.

Originally a hooker he switched to loosehead prop at Old Wesley and has seen his career flourish since. Gloucester’s options at loosehead prop are Val Rapava Ruskin, Alex Seville and Olly Adkins.