Murphy quits international scene

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy has retired from international rugby after failing to make the squad for the tour to New Zealand.

The Leicester Tigers skipper had been pondering his Irish future, and being left out of Declan Kidney’s panel seems to have made his mind up.

“You know when it’s time to hang up your boots at any level,” Murphy told the Leicester Mercury.

“It is time for some young lads to come in and prepare for the next World Cup.”

Murphy said he planned to contact Ireland coach Kidney to tell him of his international retirement.

“I have had some tremendous memories with the squad,” said 34-year-old Murphy, who played in two of Ireland’s matches at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Murphy is the latest in a string of Ireland players to announce their retirement, following on from Shane Horgan, Jerry Flannery, Denis Leamy and David Wallace.