About Jack McGrath
Born 1989. Jack McGrath is an Irish rugby union player.
Jack McGrath (born 11 October 1989) is a former Irish rugby union player who played loosehead prop. He played professionally for Leinster and Ulster and has also played international rugby for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.
McGrath made his senior debut for Leinster in April 2010 against Glasgow Warriors, and became a regular member of the team in the 2011-12 season. He went on to make 142 appearances for the province, scoring 12 tries. During his time there, Leinster won the European Rugby Champions Cup twice, the European Rugby Challenge Cup once, the Pro12 twice, and the Pro14 once. He started in the first of the tests against Samoa on 9 November 2013, and was named "Man of the match" for his performance. He went on to earn 56 caps for his country.
He was selected for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, played 186 minutes on the tour, and appeared off the bench in all three tests, impressing with his tackling and scrummaging. He sustained a hip injury during the tour, and underwent minor surgery on his return.
Once seen as the natural successor to Cian Healy, he lost his place in the Leinster and Ireland teams after Healy recovered from a hand injury. He moved to Ulster ahead of the 2019–20 season. By November 2020, after 20 appearances for Ulster, he suffered a recurrence of his hip injury which left him unable to carry out daily activities. He became only the third sportsman, after Seán O'Brien and Andy Murray, to undergo hip resurfacing surgery, He signed a contract extension with Ulster in January 2022, but was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.
On the 16 February 2023, he announced his retirement from professional rugby.
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Important facts
People in Jack McGrath's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jack McGrath's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jack McGrath?
Irish rugby union player
When was Jack McGrath born?
Jack McGrath was born on 11 October 1989 in Dublin.
What is Jack McGrath's occupation?
Jack McGrath is a rugby union player.
What nationality is Jack McGrath?
Jack McGrath is Irish.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Jack McGrath (rugby union)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack McGrath. https://biography.guide/jack-mcgrath-rugby-union-player/
MLA: "Jack McGrath." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-mcgrath-rugby-union-player/.
Chicago: "Jack McGrath." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-mcgrath-rugby-union-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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