Josh ready for the frontline
Whether rugby or battling Covid-19, Murphy will step up
JOSH MURPHY is hoping to help Leinster to further silverware should the rugby season resume any time soon.
Having broken into their squad, Dublin-born Josh, whose father, John, runs a solicitor’s business in Enniscorthy, maintained a strong presence and made the most of his opportunity.
This culminated with an appearance in the European Rugby Champions Cup, something which he will strive to build upon over the forthcoming games.
‘My life has changed completely over recent seasons, studying medicine in U.C.D. while also pursuing a full-time rugby career,’ said the big back-row who is battling for a regular place along with some of the finest international players to grace any club.
Murphy maintains a busy schedule despite the lockdown owing to the coronavirus.
‘I have just completed my second-last year of studies in medicine. Next year will be my final year so it will make for further changes and study to go alongside my rugby,’ he said.
‘But Leinster have been good to me, they encourage players to continue with their studies, while U.C.D. have also been very good in accommodating me. It’s quite tough, juggling both, but also quite enjoyable.’
Josh has not been called to the frontline to fight Covid-19 as of yet.
‘I put my name down for a call-up, but as of yet I have not received the call. Final year medical students were called in, but I think they are leaving this year’s group to continue with their studies for their final year exams,’ he said.
‘It has been a tough year, having to go into hospitals also, but if called upon I am willing and able.’
Spending time away from rugby has not created a real problem for Josh.
‘It has afforded me the extra time for studies while also continuing with my fitness programme. I have put in a small gym at home which is a considerable help,’ he explained.
‘This is a very difficult time for everyone when you see what is going on out in the real world, even in our own country. It really puts everything into perspective.
‘The past six to seven weeks have been difficult for everyone. The frontline care workers are doing incredible work.
‘For someone studying medicine, it’s inspiring to see. It’s natural that there is a huge amount of fear out there, so it puts everything into perspective.
‘It’s a crazy time for everyone, so who knows when we will get back to sport, but that is secondary at the moment.’
Murphy is gradually starting to get his foot on the ladder with Leinster.
He went to secondary school in St. Michael’s College in Dublin, the alma mater of several past and present Irish stars, and has a non rugby-playing brother, Max.
Josh came through the colleges scene with his first cousin,
Ross Byrne, now a seasoned Leinster and Irish out-half, while this year he played his first game with Harry, also a first cousin and brother of Ross, who shone with St. Michael’s and the Irish Under-20 side.
The towering 6’ 6’’ blindside flanker is enjoying his rugby with Leinster.
Murphy represented the Ireland Under-20s in both the 2014 and 2015 editions of the world championships, as well as featuring in the 2015 Six Nations championship at that level.
He captained Ireland against the Wales Under-20s at the 2015 world competition, standing in for the regular in that role, Nick McCarthy.
‘I would say that captaining the Ireland Under-20 side was one of the proudest moments of my career,’ he added.
The success of that Ireland Under-20 side helped to streamline Murphy’s career on the playing fields.
He was added to the Leinster rugby academy ahead of the 2015-’16 season, before earning promotion to the Senior team at the end of his three years in the academy prior to the start of the 2018-’19 campaign.
He went on to make his Leinster Senior debut against Glasgow Warriors in November, 2017, and marked his first start against the Dragons later that month with a try-scoring man of the match performance.
Now Murphy is driven to be a starting Champions Cup option for Leinster, determined to follow the example of others this season. With Leinster having a one hundred per cent record in the PRO14 league, Murphy, in the absence of the Irish international players, has grabbed his chance to impress.
Leinster have already qualified for the Champions Cup quarter-final. Their game in the Aviva Stadium was a sell-out, but was subsequently postponed owing to Covid-19, with no date yet scheduled for the re-fixture, while there is also the matter of completion of the PRO14 league.
But with Ireland’s Six Nations and November internationals up in the air, Murphy wants to be ready to grasp his chance whenever rugby activity is resumed.
He’s seen the breakthrough of some of his young Leinster colleagues this season.
‘Ronan Kelleher at hooker and Caelan Doris at number 8 have made the breakthrough to the international side this season which is proving an incentive to others around them,’ he added.
Given the strength and competitive nature of the Leinster squad, which is packed with international players, Murphy is still confident with regard to the future.
‘If you do play well enough you do get picked,’ emphasised Murphy, who was hugely impressive towards the tail end of the most recent rugby action against the Ospreys in Wales, when he emerged from the game with a well-executed try.
‘You see Caelan and Ronan who have been real stand-outs for us while the lads have been away on international duty. They got to play and grasped their opportunity.
‘It’s constantly trying to get there yourself. In your head you try to say that’s your jersey and you should still get picked.
‘It’s just [a case of] keep training as hard as you can and playing when you get the chance, and knowing that if you are playing well, you will get picked.
‘I have been lucky with the coaches right through my career from St. Michael’s College, and the Leinster academy, right through to the Senior squad. They have been excellent and provided the inspiration and coaching to improve my game.’
Murphy was impressed by how Leinster’s young guns kept standards so high while the main men were gone, the culmination of that being a one hundred per cent record in the PRO14 league games played to date, with the majority of victories achieved without their internationals.
Given the extra demands expected to be placed on their international players whenever rugby resumes, Leinster know full well that that intensity must remain high.
‘It will be up to the players to continue to get better and not let complacency set in,’ Murphy added.
The lockdown came at a time when Leinster were unbeaten and well placed in both competitions, so it would be disappointing for the players if the season was abandoned.