VIDEO: New players don’t have to do much homework to fit in, says Conor Murray

By Stephen Barry and Shaun Cronin

An inclusive approach to their Rugby World Cup preparations has helped Ireland as some of their totemic players drop out through injury and suspension.

It’s a detail of preparation that allows Joe Schmidt’s team to remain on a stable course, with the next man up as immersed in the game-plan as those who they replace.

“When players step in at training and in games they know exactly what's required, so on that side of things they don't have much homework to do,” relayed Conor Murray ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

“It's hugely exciting for those players, although there's a little bit of pressure to step in and do the job as well as the lads have been doing.

“But these players have been there before; they have stepped in and they have played for Ireland. So it's just another look for the team and we have full confidence in them.”

The Ireland team shows

Read More:

Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry have stepped into the back-row breach, with Iain Henderson replacing Paul O’Connell in the middle of the pack.

The presence of Johnny Sexton at out-half will prove some consolation, although, as with other positions, Murray has confidence in Sexton’s back-ups to step up, as Ian Madigan did against France.

“I've known him [Madigan] for a long time, from under-age rugby, and I know he's well capable of delivering for us, and he did last week.

“So whether Johnny didn't make it back, Ian is full of confidence, and we have Paddy [Jackson] to step in as well.

“It's great to have Johnny back in the driving seat, he's a world-class player and great to have in any team.”

Conor Murray training at the Millennium Stadium earlier today. Photo: Inpho/ Dan Sheridan

But even with the reassurance of Sexton outside him, the sense of nerves and excitement reverberating around the Millennium Stadium won’t pass by Murray.

“I always talk about the excitement of it. The bus journey into the stadium last weekend was something I'd never experienced and inside the stadium again was another level that a lot of players haven't experienced.

“I'm really looking forward to that being just as good if not better this week. So there will be nerves; it's a quarter-final of the World Cup and you'd be lying if you didn't say there was a bit of nervous tension around the place.

“But that's good. There's a bit of bite in training as well. People are anxious to get going and that's always a good thing to have.”