Shane Horgan fears Ireland overly reliant on Conor Murray

Conor Murray has received Shane Horgan’s backing to cope with the pressure of being one of Ireland’s key figures against South Africa, but fears the team are becoming too reliant on the Munster scrum-half.

Ireland arrived in Cape Town missing eight of the players who started in the Six Nations title win against Scotland last year and will be a lacking a vast array of experienced leaders. Of those eight, six were test-capped Lions and now the onus of leadership will fall squarely on the shoulders of Rory Best, Jamie Heaslip and Murray.

Former Ireland and Leinster winger Horgan will be on duty for Sky Sports throughout the series and he is confident that Murray, who could win his 50th cap on this tour, will be able to perform without Johnny Sexton.