Luke McGrath deserves to come back into the conversation for Ireland after his player-of-the-match performance against Munster, according to Donncha O'Callaghan.
The scrum-half starred as Leinster came from behind at the Aviva Stadium to maintain their 100% start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season.
McGrath helped create space for Dan Sheehan’s 50th-minute try and crossed himself 12 minutes later as Leinster produced a dominant final half-hour to win 27-13.
He won the last of his 19 Ireland caps in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand in 2019 and was again omitted from Andy Farrell’s squad for next month’s Bank of Ireland Nations Series.
Donncha O'Callaghan, Jamie Heaslip and Darren Cave said Luke McGrath deserves another chance with Ireland
However, should his Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park fail to recover in time from his hamstring injury, O’Callaghan believes McGrath should be next in line for a call-up.
The former Munster and Ireland lock told RTÉ Sport: "They are the kind of guys you love to have in your team, the likes of Luke McGrath, the guys who set the standards.
"There were Lions out there on Saturday night and we’re talking about him, and that’s when you’ve a good environment. Your club players step up every time and they become the conversation for green jerseys.
"He deserves to be chatted about because he’s playing so well. Unfortunately for him, Gibson-Park is here as well. He has competition for places, which makes everyone really good."
🏉 TRY LEINSTER
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 22, 2022
The tide has turned in the match as Luke McGrath breaks off the back of the maul to dive over the line
📺 👉 https://t.co/b2OI4O7lx9
📱 👉 https://t.co/b0WmWg9xTJ
📻 👉 https://t.co/Od8FxntrpN pic.twitter.com/AasZGYw9Hh
McGrath’s former Leinster team-mate Jamie Heaslip and ex-Ulster centre Darren Cave agreed with O’Callaghan and hope the 29-year-old, who also qualifies for Canada, is given another opportunity with Ireland.
"He’s like Ross Molony in my book," said Heaslip. "He’s been unbelievably consistent since he came onto the scene. I know Joe [Schmidt] took a shining to him and he just didn’t get his break.
"He’s a quality player and deserves a chance at international level again."
Cave added: "I’m not sure he’s ever done anything to warrant being so far down the pecking order internationally.
"He often captains Leinster and is a big part of that team."
'We made tough work of it at certain stages' - Leo Cullen was pleased with how his team fought back from 13-7 down to get past Munster pic.twitter.com/RZ3SIDavWS
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 22, 2022
Alongside McGrath at half-back on Saturday was Johnny Sexton, who once again had a major influence as Leinster made it six wins from six.
The Ireland and Leinster captain has hit the ground running this season with impressive displays in the wins over the Sharks and Munster.
"He's the best Irish player I’ve seen or played with, and he’s just getting better, which is kind of scary at this age," said Heaslip.
"His control over a game, I don’t think any player has as much an influence as Johnny. He leads by example, he sets the tone. He’ll be the first to put his hand up when he makes a mistake but he will hold you accountable to the standard that he sets."
'I've just told the lads I’m proud of them...we’re going in the right direction’ - Munster head coach Grahan Rowntree says he sees continued improvement in his Munster team pic.twitter.com/ITkOmm4j7e
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 22, 2022
Sexton helped Leinster register their ninth win in the last 10 games against Munster, who produced a gutsy defensive display but were overpowered in the final quarter as a number of injuries, coupled with the strength of Leinster’s bench, swung the game in the home side’s favour.
"Quality players take advantage of fatigue errors, of little lapses in your concentration and defence," said O’Callaghan.
"Munster’s defence was really good in the second half but they probably finished with a backline that, and I don’t mean to be disrespectful, they might not have even trained in that order, and also with Scott Buckley in the back row.
"You don’t make excuses but they kept fronting and I can live with that. There were brilliant performances by certain individuals, loads still to work on, but I actually feel the boat is facing north now. I am very happy with that."
Watch Munster v Ulster and Ospreys v Connacht in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday 29 October from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
