Ireland won’t hold back against Wales, insists Conor Murray

Conor Murray may have reached the point where his inclusion in an Ireland World Cup squad is a nigh-on certaint,y but that will not prevent the scrum-half from believing he still has an opportunity to impress against Wales tomorrow at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland’s first-choice number nine will get his first taste of pre-season Test action in Dublin as head coach Joe Schmidt uses the game against a near full-strength Welsh team to firm-up his final thoughts on selection for the 31-man World Cup squad ahead of Monday’s 5:30pm deadline for the tournament.

And in that regard, the Munster half-back is no different from any of the fringe players in wanting to give the boss a reason to pick him during the World Cup over in England and Cardiff, particularly as he has had to watch his positional rivals stake their claims in the first couple of friendlies this month.