Versatile Murphy poised to join Hurley in centre partnership

Versatile back Johne Murphy is poised to start at outside centre for Munster in their must-win Champions Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park tomorrow if head coach Anthony Foley decides Andrew Smith is not fit.

A decision on Smith’s availability was being taken last night as the knee he injured after coming on against Ulster in Limerick last Friday night was put through the province’s final heavy training session.

With new signing Pat Howard going through his return to play protocols following a concussion in the first half of that Guinness Pro12 game on his home debut last weekend, Foley may not want to throw the 22-year-old South African straight into a European debut, in which case Murphy will be asked to fill the breach in a midfield partnership with Denis Hurley.