Conor Murray: I don’t get carried away by awards

As he reflects on his latest honour, newly-crowned Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year Conor Murray is also wary of the dangers of admiring his work for too long.

A wonderful yet bittersweet campaign with Munster, Ireland, and the Lions last night saw him recognised by the Irish rugby media for consistent excellence across a season when his team had to deal with the loss of their head coach, Anthony Foley.

Murray, 28, also had to contend with a nerve injury in his shoulder that threatened to end his dream of a Lions tour to New Zealand, so he was entitled to feel so honoured. The scrum-half is not done yet though. This latest recognition does not mark an endpoint but a launchpad.