Murray: This is our moment

Conor Murray believes it’s time for Munster’s new brood to grasp the nettle and create their own bit of Heineken Cup history.

In the absence of Paul O’Connell and company, Murray knows the youngsters have to stand up and fight to the bitter end at Thomond Park on Sunday to keep their tournament hopes alive.

At stake against Racing Metro 92 is a place in the quarter-finals, which Munster supporters and players have considered almost a right over 15 years of European battle.

And Murray figures it will take a bonus point win to make that continued demand a reality.

Reminded of Munster’s miracle match against Gloucester in 2003, Murray admitted he’d like to be part of a similar backs-to-the-wall triumph to go down in rugby folklore.

“It will probably be essential to get the four tries this week, so we will have to respect our opposition and go for the win first but maybe then take a few chances in the first half,” he said.

Murray is confident the young guns can stand up to the challenge: “There is a new group of players here and there are some older players pushing on so we need to take responsibility; this is probably our biggest chance to put down a big marker and set the tone for the future.”

So could comparisons be drawn to that Gloucester match a decade ago? “Yeah, possibly,” said the international number nine, “especially if we’re going to be missing one more senior figure (with O’Gara’s participation in doubt ahead of today’s citing hearing). The pressure is on us that bit more but that’s challenging and exciting; it means it’s an important game and if we perform, we’re going to enjoy the rewards of it.”

Murray would have liked better from Sunday’s encounter against Edinburgh on Sunday but he is happy there is much more in the tank for this must-win game. He’s not worried about the late fall off which saw Munster run out of steam and allow Edinburgh back to score two consolation tries near the end. Importantly, he believes Munster will this week be better rewarded for endeavour.

“People have asked where the tries are going to come from but I think if you look at our game (with Edinburgh), we got a penalty try, we scored another and we created five or six more opportunities. It was just the final pass, or the final decision, going wrong on the day. If we get it right this week — we have to get it right this week — we’ll be in a good place. I don’t think there’s any issue where the tries are going to come from, I think we’re creating good chances. We just have to finish them off.”