Ireland international Conor Murray has been selected for the British and Irish Lions squad to take on South Africa.
After losing form in 2020, the playmaker was at serious risk of losing his Ireland place.
Then, like all the greats, he delivered a word-perfect performance against England during the Six Nations. Add in his experience as a Lion, touring in 2013 and 2017, and what looked a tough call became a very easy one.
Here are five things you should know about the 32-year-old Ireland and Munster scrum-half.
#1. Early life
Murray was born in
Limerick,
Ireland, where he attended
St. Munchin's College and was part of the same
Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup squad as current Munster and Ireland colleague
Keith Earls.
#2. Partner
Munster scrum half Conor Murray is dating 2015 Miss Universe Ireland winner Joanna Cooper. She studied Journalism at Belfast University and now works as a model, on the books of Present Model Management and Studio Paris MGMT. The couple have cavapoo dog called Kevin.
#3. Gaelic Football
Before becoming a professional rugby player, Murray played
Gaelic football with
Patrickswell and
Limerick. He represented
Limerick in the Sarsfield Cup and also played for
Limerick in the primary football games
#4. Pocock moving in
Pocock explained: “In 2005 on the Australian Schoolboys tour of UK and Ireland we were billeted out with families in Limerick. The family I was billeted with: the Murrays.
“I don’t think Conor or I were thinking we’d go on to face each other in test rugby.
“Great to catch up after the game.”
#5. His name isn't even Conor
Conor Murray, full name Gerard Conor Murray, was born 20 April 1989 in Limerick, Ireland. He stands at 6ft 2in (1.88m) and weighs 14st 6lbs (93kg).
EDITORS PICKS: