Time for another Irish squad member to step up and deliver the goods.
Jordi Murphy made his Ireland debut away to England in last year’s Six Nations. The result did not go in his favour but, as he tells us, no-one can ever take away the memory of those seven minutes on the Twickenham turf away.
One year on and England are preparing a visit for a potential Six Nations decider in Dublin. Murphy has featured in Ireland’s opening wins – starting against Italy and off the bench to face the French – and is the favourite to start at No.8 at the Aviva Stadium on March 1.
The Leinster forward paid us a visit today and divulged tales about shooting hoops, speaking Spanish and acing the Leaving Cert… in one subject, at least.
Ireland’s trip to Galway
It was great to change things up a bit. We had an open session on Wednesday and there was 3,500 at that. We trained against Connacht over the couple of days… those lads were not taking it easy on us at all. There were live scrums and mauls; fitness games too. It was quite competitive.
Team-bonding day with Paulie
We went to Pure Skill [adventure centre] and it was good craic. Pretty soon after we got there, the competitive animals were out. Zeebs [Simon Zebo] and Conor Murray topped the standings but our team, overall, won. It was me, Paul O’Connell, Dave Kearney and Sean Cronin. I was stuck with the props – Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Jack McGrath. I just about edged them out but I thought I’d have much more when it came to the skills challenges.
Preparing as if you will start against England?
Jamie [Heaslip’s] injury has not changed my mind-set from any other week. I was involved in the last two games so I have to go into next week with that same frame of mind. The team isn’t nearly selected at all yet. It’s all about training well, from Monday and Tuesday, giving my best and, hopefully, I get the nod.
It was strange [England 13-10 Ireland, February 22, 2014] as we thought we had done enough to win but one or two things didn’t go our way and they beat us by three points. It was an emotional day, for me and my family, as you are working hard for your goal and you finally get there only to end up losing. Thankfully, we ended up going on to win the tournament and we ended up with medals in our pockets… It was just under a year ago but it feels a lot longer.
What song did you sing after your debut?
I sang Teenage Dirtbag unbelievably badly, and no-one sang along with me. I was booed off by all the lads on the bus… It’s one of those things. Once it’s done it’s done. I’ll never have to do it again.
Who are the Irish players that boss the back of the bus?
It’s usually Rob Kearney, Paulie and Cian Healy. That’s the back row and you are not going to be able to sneak in there with those boys.
Drico was there until last year. Faces come and go but the seats remain the same.
England’s big threat – Billy V
Vunipola is very young but he has a lot of experience. He’s one of those players that you need to neutralise from the start because, once he builds up a head of steam, his confidence builds. It certainly did in that Saracens vs. Munster game, where he let loose. That was probably his performance of the season so far… He is one of many English players that are dangerous but we have to ensure they have a bad bad at the office
Your (temporarily) lost Six Nations medal
Yeah, my Dad has that now. I’m not allowed hang onto it. I gave my jumper away when we landed at Dublin Airport [the Monday after winning the championship]. Stupidly, I had forgotten that I had left the medal in my pocket. To be honest, I didn’t even know the medal was gone until it was brought back to me a few hours later… The lad brought it to his granny first and, apparently, there were pictures going around Twitter of my medal.
Born in Barcelona
My parents moved over in the late 1980s and both my sister and I were born over there. I was a Spanish kid until I was about eight or nine. I didn’t have much English. I picked up my Blackrock accent pretty quickly; as soon as I went into Willow Park [Junior School].
I could string a few English sentences together but I could not understand the grammar too well. It took me a year to get an understanding of it and start thinking, and speaking, in English. My sister and I would have still spoke Spanish to each other.
We lived a two-minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya, right in the centre of Barcelona. It was great… I go back once or twice a year. Whenever I do get over I catch up with friends of the family and try catch a Barca game.
Surely you did Spanish in the Leaving Cert?
I did. My only A1 in the Leaving. I didn’t do it in school but turned up on the day and got an A1. That’s my claim to fame.
I got exempt from Irish as I was born outside of Ireland. Thankfully.
*Murphy is wearing Under Armour’s new ARMOUR Compression gear, which is designed to keep muscles fresh and games tight while keeping you cool, light and dry. Available at Lifestyle Sports and at the Under Armour website.
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