Jordi’s in the wings if Schmidt call comes
JORDI MURPHY is well aware of how quickly one’s fortunes can change in sport. After a promising year which saw him play a part in the Ireland side that claimed the 2015 Six Nations title before grabbing his first international try in October’s World Cup exit to Argentina, Murphy has found himself surplus to Joe Schmidt’s plans due to a dip in form that he himself publicly acknowledged.
Apart from being called into the Ireland squad for training last week, the 24-year-old has yet to feature for the international team in 2016, but in light of Leinster team-mate Fergus McFadden’s recent late callup, Murphy hasn’t yet given up hope of making the cut.
‘I feel like I’m in a better place,’ he said.
‘Obviously I went through a bit of a low for a while. It was obvious to see, I knew myself. I just wasn’t quite physically right and it was affecting my performances.
‘But I feel like I’ve put all that behind me and I’m slowly but surely getting to where I know I can be so I’m not going to stop here. There is still a long way to go.’
Murphy states that his performances were hampered by a series of ‘niggles’ that were not severe enough to rule him out of action but affected his ability on the pitch.
For a player who has often suffered with injuries in his young career, the nature of this latest setback presented a whole new challenge.
‘This was one of those where I could play but I didn’t feel like I was playing at 100 per cent and was just trying to rehab it and wasn’t at my peak.
‘There’s been a big improvement in the last couple of weeks in the way I’ve played, but I can definitely be at a better level again.’
Last week’s call-up to train at Carton House came on the back of an injury to Seán O’Brien, and Murphy knows that his international fortunes are largely reliant on the fitness of others.
However, having spoken to Schmidt before the Six Nations, he remains confident that some strong showings for Leinster in the Guinness PRO12 — starting this weekend at home to Ospreys — can help him force his way back into the Ireland coach’s plans.
‘Joe rang me before he announced the squad and told me the bad news. I was disappointed for quite a while but I knew straight away I had to get straight back on the horse and do well here (at Leinster) and then hopefully that would translate into getting back into the international scene.
‘I was trying to do my best with Leinster and then unfortunately for Seán O’Brien he’s picked up a knock and Joe rang me up and put me into the squad.
‘I don’t know what he’s going to do in the next few weeks but I’d hope to think I might be in his picture. I suppose the best way to force my way into that picture is to play well this weekend.’
‘I don’t think my drive is any different. Obviously having played for Ireland before I want to be playing in the green jersey whenever there is a chance.’