Ireland happy to remain cautious
CONOR Murray has not linked up with Ireland this week, assistant coach Greg Feek has confirmed.
Scrum-half Murray continues to rehab his long-term neck injury, and was omitted from Ireland’s 42-man squad for the autumn internationals.
The Munster star did link up with Ireland for three days’ training last week, prompting All Blacks boss Steve Hansen to joke it could be an “Irish trick” and he could face New Zealand in Dublin on November 17.
But now Ireland’s scrum coach Feek has confirmed British and Irish Lions star Murray has not met up with boss Joe Schmidt’s squad this week, leaving him a long shot to feature against either the All Blacks or the USA.
Asked about Murray, Feek said: “He’s not in camp. Again, it’s another one that we’re just monitoring and I’m still getting up to speed with all that as well.
“It’s something that obviously not being here this week, they’re freshening him up and it is just trying to tick some boxes to get back in the frame.
“We already have three halfbacks there so there’s no point in carrying one more.”
Murray’s absence from Ireland’s Carton House training base this week means the accomplished half-back will certainly miss Saturday’s Test clash with Argentina in Dublin.
All Blacks boss Hansen opted to keep it light last week, when quizzed on Murray’s possible availability to face his team on November 17 in Dublin.
“Is Conor really going to be out or is it an Irish trick? Or is it the truth?” joked Hansen, after New Zealand’s 37-20 victory over Australia in Yokohama.
“Conor’s a great player, and it’s really disappointing for both Ireland and us that’s he’s not playing. They’ll miss him but what a wonderful opportunity for somebody else to step up.”
Ireland’s injury outlook for Saturday’s Argentina clash also leaves Leinster full-back Rob