Ellis’ injury heartbreak opens door for Murphy

ENGLAND scrum-half Harry Ellis’ injury has opened a window of opportunity for former Munster scrum-half Frank Murphy.

Ellis has been ruled out of Leicester’s last two games of the season as they close in on a treble, and he is also doubtful for the World Cup.

Ellis picked up a knee injury in the second-half of the Guinness Premiership play-off semi-final win over Bristol after scoring Leicester’s first try in the 26-14 victory and will miss the grand final against Gloucester at Twickenham on Saturday.

The English scrum-half is also out of the Heineken Cup final against Wasps eight days later as Leicester chase three trophies with the EDF Energy Cup already captured.

But Murphy is up-graded and Leicester head coach Pat Howard says it represents a great opportunity for the 26-year-old from Cork.

While Ellis could require surgery on his left knee after suffering the cruciate ligament injury that might leave him unlikely to be fit for the World Cup in France in September, Howard says it is: “too early to say and added that his injury was now in the hands of the “medics”.

He added: “It’s a very big blow to England and it’s a blow for us because he’s a very good player. I feel for Harry because he’s had a great year.”

In the absence of Ellis, Howard would usually turn to Scott Bemand, but he is also ruled out through injury and that means Murphy will start against Gloucester and 17-year-old Ben Youngs will be on the bench.

Howard is optimistic Bemand will be in the frame to face Wasps, but says he has every faith in Ireland A international Murphy. He said: “I’m sure Frank will rise to the occasion. He started the game against Gloucester when we outscored them four tries to two and he’s been playing well for us.”

Prop Martin Castrogiovanni is rated “very unlikely” to be fit, but winger Tom Varndell and centre Daryl Gibson will be available as Tigers bid to make amends for the heartache suffered in the previous two Premiership finals.

They were beaten 45-20 by Sale last season and 39-14 by Wasps in 2004-2005 when Martin Johnson and Neil Back made their final appearances and Howard said: “We want to make sure we put up a performance that rewards the people who have supported us this year. We’ve worked particularly hard to get into this position and we want to win.”