Murray backed to start for the Lions at No.9

IRELAND’S Conor Murray has been tipped by a former Lions No.9 to start in that role for the tourists in New Zealand this summer.

And Dwayne Peel also believes that England’s Ben Youngs and Welsh pair Gareth Davies and Rhys Webb will be scrapping for back-up places along with Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw.

Murray, 27, understudied Youngs and Mike Phillips in Australia four years ago, but Peel, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005, reckons the Munsterman is ahead of the field. “It’s Conor Murray for me,” Peel told TRP. “He’s got the most complete game of any No.9 right now. While he’s a big threat with ball in hand, he’s also got a good, solid pass and a really excellent kicking game. “He’s the more complete player of the contenders and one thing I particularly like about him is that he’s grown into someone who can take a game by the scruff of the neck.

“He’s developed into a real leader, which you’re going to need in New Zealand, and Ireland’s performances in the autumn were very good.”

Of the other contenders, Peel said: “Ben Youngs was excellent in the autumn so I’d imagine it’ll be Murray and him as first-choice, perhaps with one of the Welsh boys pushing for that impact spot. Rhys Webb and Gareth Davies are exciting players who can push the others in terms of offering something different late in games. “They’re positive, physical players who score a lot tries as well so if you need a game-breaker they might be the obvious choice ahead of somebody like Greig Laidlaw.”

Laidlaw’s chances will rest on the numbers game, with Peel adding: “From a leadership and game-management perspective, if you go down that route Greig’s perfect, plus he offers versatility by playing 10 and kicking his goals as well.

“So, a lot depends on how many nines and 10s the Lions take.”