New Plymouth Albion signing Declan Cusack tells why he nearly gave the game up

NEW Plymouth Albion signing Declan Cusack has revealed he considered giving up rugby because he could not find a club.

The 24-year-old Irishman was released by Munster last summer and attempts to interest a club in this country fell flat.

Fly-half Cusack then thought about giving up the game before his agent found him a place with Spanish side Bizkala Gernika.

Now, instead of ending on the rugby scrapheap, Cusack is expected to play at least some part in Albion's game at Nottingham tomorrow.

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He said: "At the end of last season, I didn't have a concrete offer and at that point I was seriously considering whether I should give up.

"There's lots of number 10s going from club to club at the moment and the trouble was I wasn't playing many games, so I didn't have a chance to show what I can do.

"Going to Spain allowed me to play 25-26 full games – if you're only playing 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there, it's hard to make an impact.

"The club I was at in Spain (Gernika) was having financial problems, so I needed to get out quickly. Plymouth came in for me for the last matches of the season so I was pleased. There's only five or six games left, so I'll try to learn as much as I can."

Cusack became Albion's only signing yesterday – transfer deadline day – and the fly-half was pleased to be in Plymouth.

The 24-year-old went through a light training session with his new team-mates and said: "The set-up is good here and all the facilities are in one place so you can play and train there.

"The club seems professional, although I've only had one training session. If the opportunity comes, I'd like to stay here, but if it doesn't, it doesn't."

Cusack has only a handful of games to make an impression, but Albion head coach Nat Saumi confirmed the Irishman would be used at some point during tomorrow's game.

"I've seen film clips of him in action and he's a good boy," said Saumi. "He can play and he's got a big boot on him as well."

Cusack arrives at Albion with a good pedigree.

He previously spent three years with Munster, representing both the academy and Munster A.

Cusack made his senior debut coming off the bench against Ulster in the final game of the 2011-12 Pro12 season, formerly the Magners League.

During his time in the Spanish Premiership, Cusack impressed in the Amlin Challenge Cup and ended the season as the club's top scorer in European competition with 50 points.

Albion acting chief executive Debbie Fisher said: "We want to finish the season as strongly as possible for our loyal supporters and Declan adds valuable experience in his position."