FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - South Africa v Ireland - Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa - July 6, 2024 Ireland's Conor Murray in action before he scores a try REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
(Reuters) - Ireland stalwart Conor Murray is likely to be thrust back into the starting line-up for Saturday’ second test against South Africa in Durban.
The 35-year-old has been one of the world’s best scrumhalfs in a career that includes three British & Irish Lions tours, five Six Nations championship titles and 117 caps.
But in recent years he has lost his starting berth to Jamison Gibson-Park, however, and fallen further down the pecking order behind Craig Casey.
Gibson-Park was injured on the eve of the South Africa tour, elevating Casey to the starting line-up for Saturday’s first test in Pretoria.
But Casey sustained concussion and was carried off the pitch, giving Murray the chance to come on for the last 20 minutes and he scored a late try following an excellent darting run.
Casey has been ruled out of the second test, with Murray to return for his first start for Ireland since a World Cup pool game against Tonga in last September.
"I feel good, feel fit, feel good about my game for the last part of the season, ready to rock," Murray told reporters.
"Craig played really well, I thought, he had a great game, took a really unfortunate knock."
Ireland were on the wrong side of a few tight TMO calls in the first test but also caught napping as the Springboks scored early and kept their noses ahead to seal a 27-20 victory.
"We were not walking out of there with our heads down afterwards. (Coach) Andy (Farrell) said in the dressing room afterwards and the playing group felt it as well, that we stayed in the fight and gave it a really good go. We go (to the second test) with a pep in our step," Murray added.
"Overall, it was a really physical game, they're World Cup champions back for a first game at home and they really brought it physically. The breakdown was difficult, but as soon as we got a bit of quick ball, we looked dangerous," Murray said.
Ireland have called up hooker Dave Heffernan and scrumhalf Nathan Doak to replace the injured Dan Sheehan and Casey in their squad.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond)
