Murray yearns to be a young buck in high-potential Ireland side

Conor Murray has been channelling his inner Cher in expressing his wish to turn back time.

ELDER STATESMAN: Conor Murray sits for a portrait during an Ireland rugby media conference. Pic: Harry Murphy, Sportsfile

What Conor Murray would give to be a younger man, playing in an Ireland side he believes has so much more potential to realise.

The 34-year-old, expected to earn his 114th Ireland cap when Andy Farrell names his matchday squad for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations home clash with Wales, has had a playing career most contemporaries could only dream about. 

Yet as the national team he now usually serves as a back-up to first-choice number nine Jamison Gibson-Park bids to continue its unbeaten start to the 2024 championship in this round three contest at Aviva Stadium, Murray has been channelling his inner Cher in expressing his wish to turn back time.

Whether or not the Munster scrum-half has an affinity with that particular American power ballad is irrelevant, Murray would relish the opportunity to start all over again and be at the outset of his professional rugby career and in for the long haul of Ireland’s exciting progress under head coach Andy Farrell.

Back-to-back Grand Slams are now a distinct possibility as Ireland turn to the first of three Triple Crown opponents still lying in wait, the two victories which have sparked increased expectations among pundits and supporters alike suggesting to Murray that the current Ireland squad, empowered by Farrell, have rebounded in impressive fashion following yet another World Cup quarter-final disappointment last October at the hands of New Zealand.

“I’d like to be just starting off my career with this group because it’s so exciting where this group could head,” Murray said.

“Players have always said it from inside the camp about how enjoyable it is and I think it’s enjoyable because of the standard that we are capable of getting to and how we can play. The camp environment and how everyone gets on is really, really good but ultimately if you are a part of a winning group that’s the most important and enjoyable part.

“So being part of this journey is really really exciting and like I said I’d like to be a few years younger and just be starting off with them but enjoying every minute of it.

“The World Cup was obviously a big disappointment, but I think we can be really proud of the way we have bounced back. You might see a few other teams with a bit of a World Cup hangover. We were really honest in our review of the World Cup and our game keeps growing. Credit to the coaches, staff and players for just shaking it off and getting on with it and appreciating where this team can go. We still know we are not a finished product by any stretch but it’s really exciting.” 

Murray has every intention of sticking around as long as both Ireland and Munster want him. He turns 35 in April, and his current IRFU central contract will run its course this summer but the three-time British & Irish Lion was talking a long game this week as far as his playing future is concerned.

“Ultimately it's up to the coaches whether they feel you're still firing and able to play at that level. My body feels great and it was even good to go back to Munster last week and get a good bit of gametime, match fitness and match sharpness (in the URC win at Scarlets). So as long as I can play and as long as you're wanted or fit enough to be selected and playing at that level, then I'll go until you're told otherwise.

“Yeah, as long as possible. That's what you want as a professional and as someone who appreciates how special this group is and being involved with Ireland is, naturally you want to do it for as long as you can. Who knows how long you can.” Murray nevertheless described himself as being “at the twilight” of his playing career, a point at which he is determined to savour every moment of his involvement in “really challenging, really enjoyable” Irish squad camps.

“Faz and the coaches really put, not pressure I suppose, but a demand on the players to be themselves, be curious about the game plan and really understand it. We’re coached really well but it’s also up to the players to solve problems or get into groups and chat through how we are going to play.

“It’s about owning it, I suppose. That aspect of being in a squad like that is really enjoyable and challenging. That’s what all professional athletes want to be, you want to be challenged; you want to be pushed to the limits and I think we are in here. I know we are in here.”