Murray Set For Italian Job

Having successfully rehabbed a neck injury sustained against Zebre in the Guinness PRO12 in January, a fit Conor Murray looks ahead to Ireland’s 6 Nations opener against Italy.

With the injury keeping Murray out of contention for Munster’s final two Champions Cup games against Saracens and Sale Sharks, the Munster scrum half has made a timely return and is ready for action as Ireland being the defence of their 6 Nations title on Saturday.

“I’ve done my contact, I’ve done my bag work, I’ve tackled a few of the lads and I feel good. I’ve gotten through that first contact fear, if you want to call it that.”

Ireland will undoubtedly take confidence from last season’s on-field successes, but Murray and his team-mates know that history will count for nothing as they take to the field in Rome this weekend.

“I know you’ll say we are defending champions, but this is a whole new season. There are potentially new players in our team. It’s going to be a completely different task and we’re in the right mind-set for that.”

Murray has already emerged as one of the key leaders within the Irish set-up. Regardless of who gets the nod at 10 this weekend, Murray will remain the more experienced player of the 9/10 axis, something which doesn’t faze the 25 year old.

“Other people might say there is, but I don’t see that. It’s come up with Munster before as well, that there might be a bit more pressure on me, but I just try to play my own game and play well.

“If I play well, then hopefully all that stuff ye talk about, pressure and responsibility, kind of looks after itself.”

And when asked about his potential partner at half back on Saturday, the Limerick native said, “The two Ians (Keatley and Madigan) might be going for the 10 spot this weekend, they’ve been in and out of the team in training. They have been getting their reps in and doing really well and I’ve no issue with whoever gets picked.

“We all have our roles within the team, we all understand how Joe wants us to play the game and I don’t think it’s going to affect any of us, even the lads coming in. I don’t think anyone has to change the way they play or change the type of player they are. They can still express themselves, it’s just we need to have a good understanding of the game plan and how we want to approach this Italy game.”

Italy v Ireland, 2015 RBS 6 Nations, Saturday February 7^th at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome – KO: 2:30pm (Irish time).

This game will be televised on RTE2. Follow the action online using #ShoulderToShoulder #ITAvIRE