Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MOVES ARE AFOOT
Ulster recruit Jordi says interpro switches like his will soon become norm
JORDI MURPHY predicts the trickle of players moving between the provinces could become a flood.
The likes of Andrew Conway’s switch from his native Leinster to Munster used to be a rarity.
But now, in large part thanks to the bounty of talent provided by Leinster’s conveyor belt, the floodgates are gradually opening.
The ripple effect has already been felt at Ulster, who have a number of Leinster Academy graduates on their books along with Murphy’s fellow Dubliners John Cooney and Marty Moore.
Murphy’s transfer was announced last December and by the time he eventually moved north he was a double winner with Leinster – as was Joey Carbery who has since joined Munster.
Murphy admitted: “I’ve been asked, ‘Do I think I started a trend?’ because then you’ve got Robin Copeland from Munster to Connacht and Joey over to Munster.
“It may start happening more because there’s so much quality coming through at a young age.
“And ultimately people are going to have to move if they want to keep playing competitive rugby – especially for Ireland, knowing that you have to stay within the country.
“Maybe it’s not the traditional thing to do, for Leinster players to go to Ulster. But I don’t see why it can’t happen more.”
There’s a concern for some that player movement between the provinces could dilute the interpros that begin this season with Munster hosting Ulster and Leinster travelling to Connacht.
“I don’t think the Leinster game this Christmas is going to be any less spicy,” Murphy asserted. “The level of competition, the level of the league has gone up – the European Cup has gone up another level.
“But I’ve never gone into an interpro game thinking it’s not a big deal if we don’t win. You want to be winning those games every time.”
The 27-year-old back row misses the Munster game with an ankle knock but could return against Connacht next week.
Given how he finished his time with Leinster, it seemed premature to leave. But Murphy has no regrets.
He added: “It was a big decision. I’ve only ever known Leinster. I went to school in Leinster, I played seven or eight years with them. But I felt like I needed a change – I’m very grateful to Ulster for giving me that opportunity.
“And I didn’t leave somewhere where you strive to be the best to strive for second or third.”