Leicester and Ireland fullback Geordan Murphy is one of the most valuable assets in the Tigers' armoury, having cemented his place as one of the finest attacking fullbacks in the northern hemisphere.

Murphy's early career was spent on the wing thanks to the presence of Tim Stimpson at Leicester, but he impressed sufficiently to win his first Ireland cap against the USA in 2000.

Murphy was an ever-present in the Ireland squad for the next two seasons, winning the Irish Sport Writers Player of the Season award at the end of the 2003 season. Murphy broke his leg prior to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, but his ambition saw him bounce back into the Ireland squad. He was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 2005, winning a Test cap in the third and final Test against the All Blacks.

Murphy's international career has increasingly been spent scrapping with Girvan Dempsey for the fullback jersey, with both players being taken to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Murphy warmed the bench for the early games, before starting the decisive fixture against Argentina, which Ireland lost.

Murphy made four appearances during the 2008 Six Nations and two on tour to Australia and New Zealand, before being recalled by new Ireland coach Declan Kidney for Ireland's final autumn international against Argentina.

He retained his place in the Ireland set-up for the historic 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam season - featuring as a replacement in four of the games. And he also tasted success on the domestic stage skippering Leicester, in the absence of Martin Corry, to the Guinness Premiership crown and the final of the Heineken Cup.

His season in 2009-10 got off to the worst possible start as he dislocated his shoulder against Wasps in September, ruling him out of action for the remainder of the year. His return came at the start of the Six Nations and he was soon back in the international setup. He deputised for the injured Rob Kearney as Ireland beat England at Twickenham and retained his place for the visit of Wales to Croke Park despite Kearney's return.

Scrum Staff