Murphy gets big chance to stake his claim

BACK ROWER Jordi Murphy is preparing for his first Six Nations start in four years.

The flanker, 27, played in the 19-9 win against England that helped Ireland to retain the title three weeks later but has since been hit by a string of injuries.

“There’s no beating around the bush, the World Cup is in seven month’s time, this is a big opportunity and I plan on taking it with both hands,” said the Ulster flanker.

“They don’t come by that often because obviously a lot of the boys in these positions have been playing really well.

“I am very much game focused and I know I have to put in a performance this weekend but it’s a big opportunity.”

Uusually a flanker, he will wear the No.8 jersey today. He was on the blindside in the World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina in 2015 but was the starting openside for Ireland’s inaugural Test win in South Africa and their historic first victory against the All Blacks in Chicago.

A freak cruciate ligament injury 25 minutes into that game at Soldier Field cost him almost a year on the sidelines and knocked him down the Irish pecking order.

After a European and PRO14 double last season, Murphy quit Leinster for Ulster in search of more game time.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time so far up in Ulster,” he said. “It’s been an enjoyable couple of months on and off the pitch. I’ve been in the last two Ireland squads between November and the Six Nations so it has been justified in a way.

“I’ve enjoyed being in the mix every week in both the league and the Champions Cup so it has been great.

“Getting minutes under my belt in higher intensity games is something that coaches here in the past had told me I maybe hadn’t been getting a lot of when I was left out of squads so that has stood me in good stead.”