After Premiership relegation Leeds Carnegie manages to retain prop Mike MacDonald – Rugby news
2010/11 Premiership season drop-out, Leeds Carnegie, took a sigh of relief as their experienced international prop, Mike MacDonald, committed to extend his stay at the English Rugby Union side. Officials have confirmed the signing
of the new contract with the USA Eagles international prop MacDonald in a statement released on their website on Thursday, June 9.
The retention of MacDonald is a huge boost for the squad ahead of their next season campaign to return to the premiership. MacDonald has twice helped Leeds to reach the top level of the English league.
California born MacDonald started playing rugby at the University of California. He was later named to the All American rugby team five times between 1999 and 2004. MacDonald made his international debut for the USA Eagles team against Fiji’s national rugby
union team at Apia in June 2000. He has so far made 60 international appearances and scored 30 points.
The 30-year-old MacDonald joined Leeds Carnegie in 2006 after leaving another English Rugby Union side, Worcester Warriors. Since his joining, he has made 115 appearances for Leeds Carnegie in different domestic tournaments including the Aviva Premiership
and European competitions. He has also scored 125 points for the Leeds Carnegie squad.
Leeds Carnegie's Chief Executive Officer, Gary Hetherington, has expressed his pleasure at retaining the services of the international front row forward. He said, “Mike's decision to commit to Leeds Carnegie is an important one for us. He has been a big
part of our club over the past five years and he has a crucial part to play going forward.”
MacDonald has expressed his satisfaction with signing the new contract with Leeds Carnegie. He further added, “There was disappointment at the end of last season when we were relegated and there was some uncertainty with the departure of players and staff,
but having spoken to people behind the scenes and with other players who have signed I am confident that the club are heading in the right direction.”
Commenting on the upcoming challenges Leeds Carnegie will face in the Rugby Football Union (RFU) championships, MacDonald commented that the route of return to the Premiership will be tough. He further added that the RFU championships’ structure and the
team’s strength has changed and that makes it even more difficult for them
However, MacDonald reaffirmed his and his team’s commitment to do their best to secure a place back in Aviva Premiership. He further added, “We have many talented young players who are looking to make the step up and I think it will be a team effort for
us to help develop those players and bring them through into the first team.”
In addition to the Mike MacDonald, Leeds Carnegie has confirmed the re-signing of the contracts with Dan White, Phil Nilsen, Jacob Rowan and Rhys Oakley.
Leeds Carnegie has handed over eight senior club contracts to the Leeds Carnegie Academy products. The players signing new contracts include Joe Barker, Harry Hannan, Dominic Barrow, Richard Beck, Curtis Wilson, Ollie Richards, Cameron Zeiss and Chris Walker.
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