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Key Information

Gerard Conor Murray (born 20 April 1989) is a former Irish rugby union player who played as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Munster and the Irish National team.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Murray was born in Limerick, where he attended St Munchin's College and was part of the same Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup squad as former Munster and Ireland teammate Keith Earls.[3]

Munster

[edit]

2010–2015

[edit]

Murray made his competitive debut for Munster against Connacht in the Celtic League on 18 April 2010, coming on as a blood replacement.[4] He part of the Munster A team that lost the final of the 2009–10 British and Irish Cup to Cornish Pirates on 16 May 2010.[5] Murray came off the bench to replace Duncan Williams during Munster's historic 15–6 victory against Australia on 16 November 2010.[6] He made his European debut against Brive in April 2011.[7] On 28 May 2011, he started at scrum-half against Leinster in the 2011 Celtic League Grand Final, which Munster won 19–9 in Thomond Park.[8] In his first full season with Munster, Murray won the John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year.[9]

Murray made his Heineken Cup debut for Munster against Northampton Saints on 12 November 2011.[10][11] He won the Man-of-the-Match award for Munster in their Heineken Cup round 4 match against Scarlets on 18 December 2011.[12] Murray made his comeback from the knee injury he suffered in the 2012 Six Nations in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster on 8 April 2012.[13][14] He scored his first try for Munster in the United Rugby Championship league fixture against Glasgow Warriors on 14 April 2012.[15] Murray won another Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's league game against Ulster on 5 May 2012.

During Munster's first 2012–13 Heineken Cup game on 13 October 2012 against Racing 92, Murray gave away a penalty late in the game to give Racing the lead, and they went on to achieve an unlikely win.[16] His performance improved in Munster's second pool match against Edinburgh on 21 October, with Murray scoring Munster's first of four tries in a 33–0 bonus-point victory.[17] Murray scored a try in Munster's crucial victory against Edinburgh on 13 January 2013,[18] and he scored again as Munster beat Racing 92 29–6 to secure a place in the quarter-finals.[19] He started in Munster 18–12 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Harlequins on 7 April 2013.[20] Murray also started the 16–10 semi-final defeat to Clermont Auvergne.[21]

Conor Murray playing scrum-half for Munster

Murray started for Munster against Edinburgh in their opening round 29–23 defeat in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup on 12 October 2013.[22] He again started for Munster in the second-round game against Gloucester on 19 October 2013, which Munster won 26–10.[23] He started Munster's 36–8 win against Perpignan on 8 December 2013, but went off injured in the first-half.[24] Murray signed a new two-year contract with Munster and the IRFU in December 2013.[25] As a result of a knee injury he suffered against Perpignan, Murray was ruled out for six weeks.[26]

Murray returned to full training on 6 January 2014, two weeks ahead of schedule.[27] Murray started the 20–7 away win against Gloucester on 11 January 2013, a win that secured quarter-final qualification.[28] He started against Edinburgh on 19 January 2014, scoring a try in the 38–6 round 6 win that secured a home quarter-final.[29] Murray started in Munster's 47–23 Heineken Cup quarter-final win against Toulouse on 5 April 2014.[30] He started in Munster's 24–16 semi-final defeat against Toulon on 27 April 2014.[31] He converted two tries for Munster in their 55–12 win against Edinburgh on 3 May 2014.[32] Murray won the 2014 Munster Senior Player of the Year Award on 8 May 2014.[33]

Murray captained Munster against Ospreys on 27 September 2014.[34] He was Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 34–23 win against Leinster on 4 October 2014.[35] Murray started in Munster's first European Rugby Champions Cup game against Sale Sharks on 18 October 2014, scoring a try.[36] He started against Saracens in round 2 of the Champions Cup on 24 October 2014, earning the Man-of-the-Match award in the 14–3 win for Munster.[37] Murray started against Clermont Auvergne on 6 December 2014.[38] He also started in the reverse fixture against Clermont on 14 December 2014.[39]

Murray was ruled out of the game against Saracens on 17 January 2015 with a neck injury.[40] He also missed the final pool game against Sale Sharks on 25 January 2015 because of the injury. Murray scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 34–3 win against Edinburgh on 11 April 2015.[41] He scored a hat-trick of tries and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 50–27 win against Dragons on 16 May 2015.[42]

Murray started the opening pool game of the 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup against Benetton on 14 November 2015.[43] He started against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup on 12 December 2015.[44]

2016–2025

[edit]

Murray signed a new three-year contract with Munster and the IRFU in January 2016.[45] On 24 September 2016, Murray scored two tries in Munster's 28–14 win against Edinburgh.[46] On 6 May 2017, Murray made his return from the injury he sustained during the 2017 Six Nations when he came off the bench in Munster's 2016–17 Pro12 fixture against Connacht.[47] On 10 May 2017, Murray won the Rugby Players Ireland Players' Player of the Year Award, becoming the third Munster player in a row to win the accolade after CJ Stander (2016) and Paul O'Connell (2015).[48] On 27 May 2017, Murray won his 100th cap for Munster when he started against Scarlets in the 2017 Pro12 Grand Final, which the Welsh side won 46–22.[49][50]

Murray won the Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year award in October 2017.[51] Murray scored Munster's first try in their 20–19 win against Toulon in the quarter-finals of the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup on 31 March 2018.[52] He scored a try and a 65th minute 57-metre penalty to earn Munster a 19–17 away win against Cheetahs on 13 April 2018, a win that secured a home quarter-final for the province in the league play-offs.[53] Murray was nominated for the Rugby Players Ireland Players' Player of the Year award, an accolade he'd won the previous season, when the nominees were announced in April 2018.[54]

Murray signed a contract extension with Munster and the IRFU in September 2018.[55] Having missed the opening stages on the 2018–19 season due to a neck injury, including the 2018 Autumn Tests, Murray made his return from injury during Munster's Pro14 round 9 fixture against Italian side Zebre, featuring off the bench and replacing Neil Cronin in the second half of the provinces 32–7 away win.[56] Murray won his 50th Champions Cup cap in Munster's 9–7 victory against Exeter Chiefs during round 6 of the 2018–19 tournament on 19 January 2019, a result that ensured Munster advanced to a record 18th Champions Cup quarter-final.[57]

Murray earned his 150th cap for Munster in their 24–20 home defeat against provincial rivals Connacht in round 3 of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup on 14 May 2021.[58] He signed a contract extension with Munster and the IRFU in December 2021, a deal that will see Murray remain with his home province until at least July 2024.[59] He started in Munster's 19–14 win against the Stormers in the final of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 27 May 2023.[60]

In February 2025, he announced he would be leaving Munster at the end of the season to pursue an opportunity abroad following the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.[61] In September 2025, he announced his retirement from professional rugby.[2]

Ireland

[edit]

2011–2014

[edit]

Murray was selected in Ireland's training squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup warm-ups in August.[62] He made his Ireland debut against France as a substitute on 13 August 2011.[63] His second cap came two weeks later against England, again as a substitute.[64] He was also selected in Ireland's final 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand.[65] Murray's first start, and third cap, came against the United States in Ireland's opening Pool C match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[66] Murray came off the bench during Ireland's historic 15–6 victory against Australia at the World Cup.[67] He started for Ireland in their final Pool C game against Italy, putting a strong performance as Ireland won 36–6.[68] He was retained as scrum-half in Ireland's quarter-final against Wales, which Ireland lost 22–10.[69]

Murray was selected in Ireland's 24-man squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship.[70] He made his Six Nations debut when he started for Ireland in their opening match against Wales on 5 February 2012, a game which Ireland lost 23–21.[71] A knee injury sustained in the Test against France on 4 March 2012 ruled Murray out for the remainder of the 2012 Six Nations, as the injury required a recovery period of 3–4 weeks.[72] Murray retained the Ireland number 9 jersey for the first test against New Zealand on 9 June 2012.[73] He also started the second test against New Zealand a week later and, during the game, scored his first try for Ireland.[74] Murray started the third test, which Ireland lost 60–0, their heaviest ever defeat.[75]

Murray continued in the number 9 jersey for Ireland's opening 2012 Autumn Series test against South Africa on 10 November 2012.[76] Murray also started in Ireland's uncapped friendly against Fiji on 17 November 2012,[77] and against Argentina on 24 November 2012.[78]

Murray was named in Ireland's training squad for the 2013 Six Nations Championship on 17 January 2013.[79] He started at scrum-half for Ireland's opening 30–22 win against Wales on 2 February 2013,[80] their 12–6 defeat to England on 10 February 2013,[81] and the 12–8 loss to Scotland.[82] He put in an outstanding performance to win the Man-of-the Match award in Ireland's 13–13 draw with France.[83] He started in Ireland's final game of the tournament, a 22–15 loss to Italy, on 16 March 2013.[84]

On 23 October 2013, Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the 2013 Autumn Tests.[85] He started against Samoa on 9 November 2013.[86] He came off the bench against Australia on 16 November 2013.[87] Murray regained his starting place for the test against New Zealand on 24 November 2013, scoring his second try for Ireland during the game, which New Zealand narrowly won 24–22.[88]

On 27 January 2014, Murray was named in Ireland's 34-man squad for the opening two fixtures of the 2014 Six Nations Championship.[89] He started against Scotland on 2 February 2014.[90] Murray started against Wales on 8 February 2014.[91] Murray started in the 13–10 loss to England on 22 February 2014.[92] He started against Italy on 8 March 2014.[93] Murray started the 22–20 win away to France on 15 March 2014, a win that secured the 2014 Championship for Ireland.[94]

Murray was named in the Ireland squad for their 2014 Tour to Argentina on 19 May 2014.[95] He started the first test against Argentina on 7 June 2014.[96] Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the 2014 Autumn Series on 21 October 2014.[97] He started in the 29–15 win against South Africa on 8 November 2014, setting up Tommy Bowe's try.[98] Murray also started in the 26–23 win against Australia on 22 November 2014.[99]

2015–2018

[edit]

Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the 2015 Six Nations Championship on 1 February 2015.[100] He started against Italy on 7 February 2015, scoring a try in Ireland's 26–3 win.[101] Murray started against France on 14 February 2015.[102] He started in the 19–9 win against England on 1 March 2015.[103] Murray started against Wales on 14 March 2015.[104] He started against Scotland on 21 March 2015.[105] England's failure to score enough points against France meant Ireland won the 2015 Six Nations Championship, the first time Ireland have won back-to-back championships since 1948–49.[106] Murray was nominated for the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2015 Award in April 2015.[107]

Murray was named in the 45-man training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 2015.[108] He started the warm-up game against Wales on 29 August 2015.[109] Murray was selected in the final 31-man squad for the World Cup when it was announced on 1 September 2015.[110] He started in the final warm-up game against England on 5 September 2015.[111] Murray started the opening pool game against Canada on 19 September 2015.[112] He came off the bench in the second pool game against Romania on 27 September 2015.[113] Murray started against Italy on 4 October 2015.[114] He started against France on 11 October 2015, scoring the second try in Ireland's 24–9 win.[115] Murray started for Ireland in their 43–20 quarter-final defeat against Argentina on 18 October 2015.[116]

On 20 January 2016, Murray was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship.[117] On 7 February 2016, Murray started against Wales in Ireland's opening match of the Six Nations, scoring a try in the 16–16 draw.[118] On 13 February 2016, Murray started against France in Ireland's second game of the Six Nations.[119] On 27 February 2016, Murray scored a try in Ireland's 21–10 defeat against England. Murray was nominated for the 2016 6 Nations Player of the Tournament award, alongside Ireland teammate Johnny Sexton.[120]

On 25 May 2016, Murray was named in the 32-man Ireland squad to tour South Africa in a 3-test series.[121] On 11 June 2016, Murray started in the first test against South Africa, scoring a try in Ireland's historic 26–20 win.[122] On 26 October 2016, Murray was named in Ireland's squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[123] On 5 November 2016, Murray started in Ireland's test against New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, scoring a try and a penalty in a 40–29 win that was Ireland's first ever against the All Blacks.[124] On 23 January 2017, Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the opening two rounds of the 2017 Six Nations Championship.[125] On 25 February 2017, Murray scored a try and earned the Man-of-the-Match award in Ireland's 19–9 win against France.[126] Following his performances in the tournament, Murray was nominated for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship award, alongside teammate CJ Stander.[127]

Murray started in Ireland's wins against South Africa and Argentina during the 2017 Autumn Internationals.[128][129] Murray started every game for Ireland as they won a Grand Slam in the 2018 Six Nations Championship, scoring tries against Italy and Scotland, whilst also earning the Man-of-the-Match award against Italy and scoring penalties against Wales and England.[130][131][132][133][134] He started in all three tests in Ireland's historic 2–1 series victory against Australia in June 2018.[135][136][137]

2019–2025

[edit]
Conor Murray playing during Ireland's 2023 Six Nations match against Italy

Murray was ever-present for Ireland during the 2019 Six Nations Championship, starting in the 32–20 opening defeat against England,[138] the 22–13 win against Scotland,[139] the 26–16 win against Italy,[140] the 26–14 win against France[141] and the 25–7 defeat against Wales in the final round, a victory that saw the Welsh win the grand slam.[142] He was selected in the 31-man Ireland squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup,[143] having featured in the warm-up match against England[144] and the second warm-up against Wales. During the World Cup itself, O'Mahony started in Ireland's opening 27–3 win against Scotland,[145] their shock 19–12 defeat against hosts Japan,[146] the 47–5 win against Samoa in their final pool game,[147] and in the comprehensive 46–14 defeat against New Zealand in the quarter-finals, which brought an end to Ireland's 2019 World Cup.[148]

Retained by new head coach Andy Farrell in his squad for the 2020 Six Nations Championship, Murray started in Ireland's 19–12 opening win against Scotland on 1 February 2020,[149] and in their 24–14 win against defending champions Wales on 8 February,[150] and their 24–12 defeat against England,[151] before the tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[152] The tournament eventually resumed in October 2020, with Murray starting in Ireland's 50–17 win against Italy[153] and the 35–27 defeat against France in their final fixture of the tournament.[154]

With the usual format of end-of-year international tests not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland instead participated in the Autumn Nations Cup. Murray was used as a replacement in the 32–9 opening win against Wales on 13 November[155] and in the 18–7 defeat against England on 21 November,[156] then started in the 23–10 win against Georgia on 29 November,[157] and the 31–16 win against Scotland on 5 December, which secured a third-place finish for Ireland in the tournament.[158] Murray was named in World Rugby's Men's 15s Team of the Decade for 2010–2019 in December 2020.[159]

Murray started in Ireland's 21–16 defeat against Wales in their opening 2021 Six Nations Championship fixture,[160] however, Murray sustained a hamstring during training which ruled him out of Ireland's next three fixtures,[161] though he returned from the injury to start for Ireland in their 32–18 win against England in the final round.[162] During the 2021 Autumn Nations Series, Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 60–5 win against Japan on 6 November,[163] and in the famous 29–20 win against New Zealand on 13 November,[164] before replacing the injured Jamison Gibson-Park to start in the 53–7 win against Argentina in Ireland's final fixture of the series on 21 November.[165]

Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 29–7 win against Wales in their opening fixture of the 2022 Six Nations Championship on 5 February,[166] their 30–24 defeat away to France on 12 February,[167] their 32–15 away win against England on 12 March,[168] and the 26–5 home win against Scotland on 19 March that secured the Triple Crown for Ireland.[169] He was selected in the squad for the 2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand,[170] and featured off the bench in the 42–19 defeat against New Zealand in the first test on 2 July.[171] Murray also featured off the bench in Ireland's historic 23–12 win in the second test on 9 July, in what was Ireland's first ever away win against New Zealand,[172] and in the 32–22 third test win against New Zealand on 16 July that secured Ireland's historic first ever series win in New Zealand.[173] Murray earned his 100th cap for Ireland when he started in their 2022 Autumn Nations Series fixture against South Africa on 5 November 2022,[174][175] though he left the field injured during the first half of Ireland's 19–16 win.[176] That injury subsequently ruled Murray out of the remaining Autumn Nations Series matches.[177]

After Jamison Gibson-Park pulled out before kick-off due to injury, Murray was promoted to the starting XV for Ireland's opening fixture of the 2023 Six Nations Championship against Wales on 4 February, being replaced by Munster teammate Craig Casey during the second half of Ireland's 34–10 away win.[178] With Gibson-Park also ruled out of the round two fixture at home to France on 11 February, Murray retained his place in Ireland's starting XV. There was doubt as to whether or not Murray would be available for the match after his father, Gerry, was involved in a road collision with a truck whilst cycling and suffered serious injuries,[179] however, Murray was able to start in Ireland's 32–19 win before being replaced during the second-half.[180] Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 34–20 away win against Italy in round three on 25 February,[181] before returning to the starting XV for the 22–7 away win against Scotland on 12 March.[182] With Gibson-Park selected to start in Ireland's final fixture of the tournament against England on 18 March, Murray was used as a replacement in the 29–16 home win that secured the grand slam for Ireland.[183]

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 29–10 win against England on 19 August[184] before starting in their 17–13 win against Samoa on 26 August.[185] He was selected in Ireland's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup,[186] and featured as a replacement in their opening 82–8 win against Romania on 9 September,[187] before starting in the 59–16 win against Tonga in Ireland's second pool game on 16 September,[188] and featuring off the bench in the 13–8 win against South Africa on 23 September,[189] the 36–14 win against Scotland on 7 October,[190] and the 28–24 defeat against New Zealand in the quarter-finals on 14 October.[191]

In February 2025, he announced, alongside teammates Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony that he would be retiring from international rugby following the conclusion of the 2025 Six Nations Championship.[61] In his final game for Ireland, he came off the bench during a 22–17 victory over Italy in the final round of the tournament.[192]

British & Irish Lions

[edit]

2013

[edit]

Murray was selected as one of three scrum-halves in the squad for 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, named on 30 April 2013.[193] He came on as a substitute in the opening fixture of the tour against the Barbarians on 1 June 2013.[194] Murray started in the Lions 69–17 victory against Western Force on 5 June 2013.[195] He started against Combined New South Wales–Queensland Country on 11 June 2013, scoring his first try for the Lions in the 64–0 tour match win.[196] Murray came off the bench against Brumbies on 18 June 2013.[197] He started against Melbourne Rebels on 25 June 2013, scoring his second try of the tour during the game.[198] Murray came off the bench during the second test against Australia to win his first cap for the Lions on 29 June 2013.[199] He also came off the bench during the Lions third test victory, a win which secured the series win for the Lions.[200]

2017

[edit]

In April 2017, Murray was selected in the British & Irish Lions squad for the 2017 tour to New Zealand, his second Lions call-up.[201] On 10 June 2017, Murray made his first appearance and start for the Lions on the tour, doing so in the match against the Crusaders in AMI Stadium.[202][203] On 17 June, Murray made his second appearance of the tour, starting in the Lions record 32–10 victory against the Māori All Blacks in Rotorua International Stadium.[204] On 24 June, Murray started for the Lions in their 30–15 first test defeat against New Zealand in Eden Park, making his first test start for the side.[205][206] On 1 July, Murray started the second test against the All Blacks, scoring a try in the Lions 24–21 victory in Westpac Stadium. It was the Lions' first test win against New Zealand since 1993 and the first time New Zealand had lost a test at home since losing to South Africa in 2009.[207][208] Murray's try made him the first northern hemisphere player to score four tries against New Zealand.[209] On 8 July, Murray started in the third and final test, a 15–15 draw which meant the series against the All Blacks ended in a draw as well.[210][211]

2021

[edit]

Murray was selected for his third British & Irish Lions tour when the squad for the 2021 tour to South Africa was announced in May 2021.[212] Following original captain Alun Wyn Jones' injury in the warm-up match against Japan on 26 June, Murray was made the new captain by head coach by Warren Gatland, with Gatland citing the regard Murray is held in by his fellow players and his previous Lions experience as factors in the decision,[213] whilst Murray himself described becoming Lions captain as an "unbelievable honour".[214] Extraordinarily, Jones recovered from his injury in time to rejoin the tour before the tests and resumed the captaincy.[215]

Murray made his first appearance of the 2021 tour in the aforementioned 28–10 warm-up win against Japan on 26 June,[216] before featuring off the bench in the 71–31 win against the Sharks on 10 July[217] and starting in the 17–13 defeat against South Africa 'A' on 14 July.[218] To the surprise of some, Scottish scrum-half Ali Price was selected ahead of Murray to start the first test against South Africa on 24 July,[219] though Murray featured off the bench to help the Lions close out a 22–17 win against the Springboks.[220] The victory made Murray one of only ten players to have won a Lions test match against all three of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.[221] Murray was restored to the starting XV ahead of the second test,[222] which South Africa won 27–9 on 31 July to take the series to a deciding third test,[223] for which head coach Gatland again selected Ali Price to start,[224] with Murray coming on as a replacement in South Africa's tense 19–16 win, which secured a 2–1 series victory for the Springboks.[225]

Gaelic football

[edit]

Before becoming a professional rugby player, Murray played Gaelic football with Patrickswell and Limerick. He represented Limerick in the Sarsfield Cup and also played for Limerick in the primary football games.[226]

Statistics

[edit]

International tries

[edit]
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result
1  New Zealand Christchurch Rugby League Park 2012 Ireland Tour 16 June 2012 Lost
2  New Zealand Dublin Aviva Stadium 2013 November Tests 24 November 2013 Lost
3  Italy Rome Stadio Olimpico 2015 Six Nations 7 February 2015 Won
4  France Cardiff Millennium Stadium 2015 Rugby World Cup 11 October 2015 Won
5  Wales Dublin Aviva Stadium 2016 Six Nations 7 February 2016 Drew
6  England London Twickenham Stadium 2016 Six Nations 27 February 2016 Lost
7  Scotland Dublin Aviva Stadium 2016 Six Nations 19 March 2016 Won
8  South Africa Cape Town Newlands Stadium 2016 Ireland Tour 11 June 2016 Won
9  New Zealand Chicago Soldier Field 2016 November Tests 5 November 2016 Won
10  France Dublin Aviva Stadium 2017 Six Nations 25 February 2017 Won
11  New Zealand Wellington Wellington Stadium 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour 1 July 2017 Won
12  Italy Dublin Aviva Stadium 2018 Six Nations 10 February 2018 Won
13  Scotland Dublin Aviva Stadium 2018 Six Nations 10 March 2018 Won
14  Scotland Edinburgh Murrayfield 2019 Six Nations 9 February 2019 Won
15  Italy Rome Stadio Olimpico 2019 Six Nations 24 February 2019 Won
16  Scotland Dublin Aviva Stadium 2022 Six Nations 19 March 2022 Won
17  Samoa Bayonne Stade Jean-Dauger 2023 RWC warm-up 26 August 2023 Won
18  South Africa Pretoria Loftus Versfeld 2024 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa 6 July 2024 Lost
19  South Africa Durban Kings Park Stadium 2024 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa 13 July 2024 Won

International analysis by opposition

[edit]
Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Points % Won
 Argentina 5 4 1 0 0 0 80
 Australia* 9 6 3 0 0 0 66.67
 Canada 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 England 17 7 10 0 1 8 41.18
 Fiji 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 France 14 8 4 2 2 10 57.14
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Italy 12 11 1 0 3 19 91.67
 Japan* 3 2 1 0 0 0 66.67
 New Zealand* 16 5 10 1 4 23 31.25
 Romania 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 Samoa 3 3 0 0 1 5 100
 Scotland 14 12 2 0 4 24 85.71
 South Africa* 13 7 6 0 3 15 53.85
 Tonga 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Wales 18 10 7 1 1 16 55.56
Total 132 83 45 4 19 120 62.88

Correct as of 22 February 2025[227][1] * indicates inclusion of caps for British & Irish Lions

Honours

[edit]

Munster

[edit]

Ireland

[edit]

British & Irish Lions

[edit]

Individual

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Conor Murray

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Gerard Conor Murray (born 20 April 1989) is a retired Irish rugby union player who played as a scrum-half for in the and earned 125 caps for the national over a 14-year international . Born in Limerick, Ireland, Murray began his professional career with his hometown province Munster, making his competitive debut in April 2010 against Connacht and going on to make 206 appearances and score 37 tries for the club, including victories in the United Rugby Championship in 2010–11 and 2022–23. Internationally, he debuted for Ireland against France in 2011 and became a key figure in the team's successes, contributing to five Six Nations titles—including Grand Slams in 2018 and 2023—and historic test series wins in Australia (2018) and New Zealand (2022). Murray also represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours (2013, 2017, and 2021), accumulating eight Test caps across series victories in Australia and South Africa. He announced his retirement from international rugby in February 2025 following the Six Nations and from all professional rugby in September 2025 at age 36, opting against a potential move abroad to prioritize family life.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Conor Murray was born on 20 April 1989 in Limerick, , and raised in the village of Patrickswell, where he grew up in a close-knit environment. His parents, Gerry and , provided a stable and supportive home; Gerry worked as an electrician for the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) throughout his career, while was a pharmacist. The emphasized the importance of sport and resilience, with both parents actively involved in athletics—Gerry as a keen cyclist and as an accomplished squash player who represented at the international level after the age of 40. Murray is the eldest of three siblings, with two younger sisters, Aisling and Sarah, who shared a happy and secure upbringing alongside him in Patrickswell. His parents were present for every milestone, fostering a warm family dynamic that encouraged participation in various sports from an early age, including rugby, hurling, and soccer. This sporting heritage extended to his maternal grandfather, Con Roche, a former Munster Rugby player and influential figure at Garryowen Rugby Club in Limerick, where Murray's early interest in the game took root. The Murray family's emphasis on community and perseverance shaped Murray's formative years, instilling values that influenced his approach to rugby and personal challenges. Growing up in rural Limerick provided a grounded childhood, with local clubs and family support forming the foundation of his athletic development.

Education and early sports

Murray attended Patrickswell National School in County Limerick during his primary education. At the age of 12, he began representing Limerick in youth competitions, including the Sarsfields Cup and the under-13 interprovincial series. For secondary school, Murray enrolled at St. Munchin's College in Limerick, where he first took up rugby upon starting in 2003. There, he played alongside future Munster and Ireland teammate Keith Earls on the school team. Murray contributed to St. Munchin's successful 2006 Munster Schools Senior Cup campaign, though he remained an unused substitute in the final victory over Rockwell College. This period marked his foundational development as a scrum-half, honing skills in a competitive school environment that emphasized teamwork and tactical play.

Munster career

2010–2015: Debut and breakthrough

Conor Murray made his competitive debut for on 18 April 2010, coming on as a blood replacement in a Pro12 match against at , which won 18–11. Later that year, on 11 November 2010, he substituted for Duncan Williams in the final minutes of 's historic 15–6 victory over Australia at , marking the province's first win against the southern hemisphere powerhouse. These early substitute appearances highlighted his potential as an academy graduate, though he remained behind established scrum-halves like Tomas O'Leary and Duncan Williams in the pecking order. In the 2010–11 season, Murray transitioned into a more prominent role, making his first start against the Dragons on 19 March 2011 at Musgrave Park. He started the Pro12 final on 28 May 2011, helping Munster secure a 17–12 victory over Leinster at Thomond Park to claim the title. For his contributions that season, Murray was awarded the John McCarthy Academy Player of the Year. He made his Heineken Cup debut on 13 November 2011 against Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens, and later earned man of the match honors on 18 December 2011 in Munster's 19–13 pool win over Scarlets at Thomond Park, where his dynamic runs and box kicks were pivotal. By the 2012–13 season, Murray had established himself as Munster's first-choice scrum-half, scoring his first try for the on 28 2012 against in a Pro12 fixture. He maintained consistency through the period, contributing to Munster's competitive campaigns in both the Pro12 and Heineken , though the did not win further major titles. A standout came on 16 May 2015, when Murray scored a hat-trick of tries in Munster's 50–27 bonus-point win over the Dragons at Thomond Park, securing a home semi-final spot in the Pro12 play-offs. This period solidified his reputation as a world-class operator at the breakdown and in attack, paving the way for his international prominence.

2016–2025: Peak years and retirement

During the 2016–2017 season, Murray solidified his status as one of Munster's premier players, playing a pivotal role in the team's resurgence in the European Rugby Champions Cup by helping them secure a knockout berth after a strong pool stage performance. His tactical acumen and sniping runs were highlighted in key victories, including against Racing 92 and Edinburgh, contributing to Munster's quarter-final appearance where they fell to Toulouse. Off the field, Murray's excellence was recognized with the Limerick Sports Star of the Year award in January 2017, reflecting his impact on the province. The following year marked a high point with Murray earning the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year in May , becoming the third consecutive Munster recipient after CJ and Tommy O'Donnell, and later the Rugby Writers of Player of the Year in for his consistent at scrum-half. However, injuries interrupted his : an ankle issue sustained during the Six Nations sidelined him until May, limiting him to a bench role in his return against Benetton. He faced further injury challenges, missing the opening months of the –2018 before returning in against Zebre and making 16 appearances overall, scoring 41 points. Despite these setbacks, Murray reached his 100th cap for Munster in May against in the PRO14. From 2018 to 2022, Murray maintained his form amid fewer major injuries, serving as a vice-captain and steadying presence during transitional periods for , including semi-final runs in in 2019 and 2021. He was named to Rugby's of the Decade for 2010–2019 in December 2020, underscoring his decade-long influence. Milestones included his 150th appearance for the in May 2021 against . The 2022–2023 season represented a career highlight at club level, as Murray featured prominently in 's United Rugby Championship triumph, starting in the final victory over the Stormers in Cape Town and providing crucial service from the base of the scrum. Entering the final phase of his tenure, Murray achieved his 200th appearance in 2025 against , a testament to his longevity after 15 seasons with the province. In February 2025, he announced his departure at of the 2024–2025 to pursue a new playing opportunity abroad, having amassed 206 appearances and scored 37 tries for . However, in September 2025, Murray opted against the overseas move and confirmed his retirement from professional rugby at age 36, concluding a career that saw him become one of 's most capped players and a symbol of provincial loyalty.

International career

Ireland national team

Conor Murray made his debut for the Ireland national rugby union team on 13 August 2011, coming on as a replacement in a 19–12 warm-up loss to France in Bordeaux. He was included in Ireland's squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup but did not feature in any matches during the tournament. Over the course of his international career, Murray earned 125 caps, scoring 18 tries for a total of 115 points, establishing himself as one of Ireland's most capped scrum-halves. His partnership with out-half Johnny Sexton became a cornerstone of Ireland's backline, renowned for its precision in attack and defensive organization. Murray's breakthrough came during the 2014 Six Nations, where he started all five matches as secured the championship title with a dramatic 22–20 win over in the final round. He repeated this success in the 2015 Six Nations, contributing to another title with notable performances, including scoring a try against . The pinnacle of his Six Nations career arrived in 2018, when achieved the Grand Slam—their first since 2009—with Murray starting every game and earning Man of the Match honors in the 24–15 victory over England at Twickenham. He played in a total of 62 Six Nations matches, scoring 10 tries, and was part of four championship-winning campaigns by 2018. On the global stage, Murray featured in three Rugby Cups: , , and 2023, accumulating 14 appearances and one try during the against . His international form also propelled him to three British and Irish Lions tours, where he played eight Test matches, though these are detailed separately. Ireland's summer series victories, including historic 2–1 series wins over (), (), and (), highlighted Murray's leadership at scrum-half, with his box-kicking and sniping runs pivotal in high-pressure scenarios. By the 2023–24 season, Murray reached his 100th cap in a 13–19 defeat to in 2022, joining an elite group of Irish centurions including and Ronan O'Gara. He contributed to further Six Nations triumphs in 2023 and 2024, bringing his total to six titles, though a controversial box-kick decision in the 2024 match against England drew scrutiny. Murray announced his international retirement in February 2025, with his final appearance coming on 15 March 2025 in a 22–17 win over Italy during the 2025 Six Nations, where Ireland bid farewell to him and other veterans. Throughout his tenure under coaches Declan Kidney, Joe Schmidt, and Andy Farrell, Murray's tactical acumen and 18 international tries underscored his status as a linchpin in Ireland's rise to consistent northern hemisphere contenders.

2011–2014: Emergence

Murray made his international debut for Ireland on 13 August , coming on as a replacement in a World Cup warm-up match against in , which Ireland lost 19–12. Selected for Ireland's squad, he earned his first start against the in their Pool C opener on 11 September in , contributing to a 22–10 victory, and later started the final pool game against Italy on 2 October, helping secure a 36–6 win. These appearances marked his initial 12 caps for the 2011–2012 season, including one try. In the 2012 Six Nations Championship, Murray started all five of Ireland's matches, showcasing his sniping runs and precise box kicks, and was named man of the match in the 17–17 draw against France on 4 March in Paris despite suffering a knee injury that forced his substitution. He added a seventh cap in the 2012 summer tour, starting the second Test against New Zealand on 23 June in Christchurch and scoring his first international try in a 22–19 defeat. The following season, Murray earned seven more caps in 2012–2013, solidifying his role as Ireland's primary scrum-half under coach Declan Kidney. Murray's form earned him a place in the for their tour of , where he featured in all three Tests, starting the decisive third Test in that secured a 41–16 series victory. Returning to , he scored a memorable try in the 2013 Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand on 24 November at the Aviva Stadium, contributing to a narrow 22–19 loss in a hard-fought contest. In the 2014 Six Nations, Murray started every match, playing a pivotal role in Ireland's championship-winning campaign—their first title since 2009—with key performances including against Scotland (28–6 win on 2 February) and England (24–15 victory on 22 February). By the end of the 2013–2014 season, he had accumulated 28 caps overall, two tries, and established himself as one of Europe's top scrum-halves.

2015–2018: Grand Slam era

During the 2015 Six Nations Championship, Conor Murray played a pivotal role as Ireland secured back-to-back titles for the first time since 1948, starting in all five matches and forming a potent half-back partnership with fly-half Johnny Sexton. His sniping runs and precise box kicks were instrumental in key victories, including a 26-3 win over England at the Aviva Stadium, where Ireland's disciplined game plan under coach Joe Schmidt neutralized the hosts' physicality. Murray also scored a try in the opening 26-3 defeat of Italy, contributing to Ireland's championship-clinching performance that highlighted their growing dominance in northern hemisphere rugby. Murray's form carried into the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, where he featured in four pool stage games as Ireland topped Pool D with victories over Canada (50-7), Romania (44-10), and Italy (16-9), before a dramatic 24-9 pool win over France that saw him score a crucial try after a break from captain Jamie Heaslip. Starting in the quarter-final against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, Ireland suffered a 17-43 defeat that ended their tournament, with Murray later citing the loss as a motivating "worst day in an Irish jersey" that fueled future ambitions. The campaign underscored Murray's reliability under pressure, earning him 110 minutes of high-stakes international exposure. In the 2016 Six Nations, Murray started four of Ireland's five en route to another championship win, though a 19-13 loss to at prevented a Grand Slam; he was nominated for Player of the alongside Sexton for his dynamic playmaking. A standout moment came in the 35-21 finale against Scotland, where he sniped over for a try to seal the title. Later that year, Murray captained Ireland on their historic tour of South Africa, starting both tests in a 2-1 series victory—the nation's first on South African soil—including a 20-3 win in the decider at Ellis Park. The Six Nations saw Murray continue as Ireland's first-choice scrum-half, starting the and scoring a try in a 26-10 win over , but a shoulder ruled him out of the decisive 13-9 victory against England that secured second place. His all-around excellence earned him Ireland's Player of the Year award, recognizing his box-kicking accuracy and defensive work rate. Selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, Murray featured in four tour matches and came off the bench in the drawn 15-15 first Test, contributing to the series ending 1-1. Murray's peak arrived in the 2018 Six Nations, where he started all five games as Ireland achieved their first Grand Slam since 2009, culminating in a 24-15 win over England at Twickenham that ended a 37-year drought there. His commanding performances, including tries against Italy (26-16 win) and Scotland (28-8 win), were marked by relentless sniping and tactical kicking that dictated tempo. Widely regarded as a tournament standout, Murray's leadership in the half-back pairing with Sexton epitomized Ireland's cohesive, Schmidt-orchestrated style that blended power and precision.

2019–2025: Veteran phase and international retirement

Entering the in as a key figure in Ireland's , Conor Murray featured in four during the , including starts against and , contributing to Ireland's progression to the quarter-finals where they fell to . His experience at scrum-half helped stabilize the backline amid a campaign that saw Ireland secure three pool wins before the exit. Under new , Murray retained his place in the Ireland setup for the 2020 Six Nations, starting in the opening 19-12 loss to and appearing in subsequent fixtures, though the was curtailed by the . Over the following years, he balanced starting roles with impactful substitute appearances, navigating from emerging scrum-halves like . Murray earned five caps in the 2023 Six Nations, starting all five matches as Ireland achieved a Grand Slam with a 29-16 victory over England in the finale, marking his second such honor. He added four more caps in the 2024 edition, starting in the championship-clinching 23-20 win against Scotland. At the in , Murray played in five matches, including the quarter-final loss to , providing during Ireland's run to the last eight for the third consecutive . His international concluded in the 2025 Six Nations, where he started all five games, helping Ireland in a 22–17 victory over Italy in Rome on March 15—his 125th and final cap. On February 27, 2025, Murray announced his international retirement alongside Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy, reflecting on a that included six Six Nations titles and eight British and Irish Lions Tests.

British and Irish Lions tours

2013 tour

Murray was named in the 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia on 30 April , selected as one of three scrum-halves alongside and Mike Phillips under head coach . At 24 years old, he was the youngest scrum-half in the group and entered the tour as an emerging talent following a strong season with Munster and Ireland. The tour consisted of ten matches, including a pre-tour fixture in Hong Kong and nine games in Australia, culminating in a three-Test series against the Wallabies. Murray featured in nine of the ten tour matches, primarily in the midweek fixtures, where he started five and came off the bench in four, accumulating over 400 minutes of playing time. He began the tour as a replacement in the 59–8 warm-up win over the Barbarians on , entering in the 57th minute with the Lions already leading comfortably. He then started at scrum-half in the 69–17 victory against Western Force on 5 June, where his quick service and sniping runs contributed to the Lions' dominant set-piece and backline attacks. As a substitute against Queensland Reds on 8 June (22–12 win), he helped steady the breakdown in a tighter contest. His midweek peaked in the following . Starting against Combined 11 , Murray scored his first try in the 64–0 , through after a pass from to extend the lead early in the second half. He entered as a replacement in the 61st minute during the narrow 14–12 loss to ACT Brumbies on 18 June—the Lions' only defeat—where his introduction alongside Owen Farrell injected tempo but could not overturn the result. Murray then started in the final midweek match, a 35–0 shutout of Melbourne Rebels on 25 June, scoring his second try of the tour after 15 minutes by twisting over from close range following patient phase play. These efforts, including two tries and ten points overall, showcased his box-kicking accuracy and defensive work rate, earning praise for his composure in high-pressure environments. In the Test series, Murray served as the third-choice scrum-half but made impactful substitute appearances in the second and third matches, contributing to the Lions' 2–1 series victory—their first Test series win in Australia since 1989. He did not feature in the 23–21 first-Test win on 22 June, with Youngs starting and Phillips unused on the bench. Entering the second Test on 29 June in Melbourne (16–15 loss) at the 54th minute for Youngs, Murray immediately won a penalty at the breakdown to relieve pressure and helped stabilize the scrum in a tense finish. In the decisive third Test on 6 July in Sydney (41–16 win), he replaced Phillips in the 50th minute and delivered a precise pass for Jamie Roberts' try, aiding the Lions' clinical second-half dominance that sealed the series. These cameos, totaling around 50 minutes across the Tests, marked his Lions Test debut and highlighted his tactical acumen in high-stakes scenarios. The tour proved transformative for Murray, boosting his confidence and establishing him as a key figure in Irish and Lions rugby.

2017 tour

Conor Murray was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to as the first-choice scrum-half under , marking his second Lions tour following limited appearances in 2013. His role emphasized precise box-kicking, game control, and defensive , contributing to the Lions' drawn Test series against the All Blacks. Murray featured in five tour matches, starting all of them and logging 362 minutes across the tour. In his debut tour game against the Crusaders on 10 June 2017, he started and delivered a standout performance in a 12-3 , with his accurate box-kicking pinning the opposition and limiting their attacking opportunities despite the Lions' lack of tries. A week later, against the Māori All Blacks on 17 June, Murray controlled the tempo effectively, completing 55 passes and employing tactical kicks to secure a 32-10 win, showcasing his ability to manage possession in a high-stakes midweek fixture. In the Test series, Murray started every match, partnering with fly-half to form a pivotal half-back duo. The Lions lost the opening Test 30-15 to at on 24 June, where Murray's kicking and passing laid foundations for structured attacks, though the team struggled with execution under . He redeemed the series in the second Test on 1 July at , scoring a crucial sniping try in the 69th minute to level the score at 21-21, enabling a 24-21 victory that shifted momentum—Murray darted through a narrow gap near the line after a lineout, with Owen Farrell's conversion securing the lead. The decider on 8 July ended in a 15-15 draw at , with Murray's defensive efforts and 298 total passes across the tour underscoring his consistency in a grueling physical contest. Murray's tour statistics highlighted his influence, including 58 kicks from hand—the most on the squad—five clean breaks, and strong tackling completion rates that bolstered the Lions' set-piece and breakdown work. His try and overall leadership were instrumental in the series draw, earning praise for embodying the scrum-half's tactical acumen against one of rugby's fiercest opponents.

2021 tour

Conor Murray was included in the 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions' 2021 tour to , announced on 6 May 2021. This marked his third Lions tour, following appearances in 2013 and 2017. The tour, abbreviated due to restrictions, consisted of a pre-tour warm-up in the UK, two non-test fixtures in , and three Tests against the Springboks. Murray's role was primarily as a scrum-half, providing cover alongside Scotland's Ali Price. On 26 June 2021, during the Lions' warm-up over (28-10) at in , tour suffered a shoulder that initially appeared tour-ending. Murray was promptly named temporary . He led the side for the first time in the non-test match against A on 14 July 2021 at Cape Town Stadium, starting at scrum-half in a 13-17 defeat—the Lions' only loss of the tour. Jones returned from to resume captaincy ahead of the Tests, having been named on the bench for the 20 July non-test win over the United Rugby Championship Select (71-31 at Cape Town Stadium), in which Murray did not feature. Murray appeared in all three Tests against . He entered as a replacement in the first Test on 24 July at , contributing to a 22-17 . In the second Test on 31 July at the same venue, he started and played the full 80 minutes in a 17-18 loss. He again came off the bench for the decisive third Test on 7 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a 16-19 defeat sealed by a late penalty from Morné Steyn, resulting in a 2-1 series win for . Murray's experience at scrum-half was noted for providing stability in breakdown contests, though the tour highlighted the challenges of the revamped schedule and biosecure environment.

Personal life

Gaelic football involvement

Before pursuing a professional career in rugby, Conor Murray was actively involved in as part of his early sporting development in Limerick. Murray played for his local club, Patrickswell, where he was regarded as an excellent er from a young age, particularly around age 12. He also represented Limerick city in the Sarsfields Cup competition and wore the Limerick county jersey at primary and minor levels. A notable early appearance came in 2002, when the 13-year-old Murray lined out at number 12 for Limerick in a primary inter-county football match against Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds, drawing a crowd of around 2,000 spectators. Murray has reflected that he initially preferred Gaelic games, including football, over rugby during his youth in Patrickswell, viewing the GAA environment as a closer-knit circle with friends before transitioning fully to rugby in his mid-teens. Following his retirement from rugby in 2025, members of the Patrickswell GAA club approached Murray about joining their junior , indicating ongoing ties to the .

Life after rugby

Following his full from rugby on 12 2025, at the age of 36, Conor Murray opted against pursuing a playing opportunity abroad and chose to step away from the entirely. Murray, who had announced his international in 2025 after the Six Nations, cited a desire to prioritize family after 15 years with Munster and 125 caps for Ireland (133 international test caps including eight for the British & Irish Lions). Murray relocated to Derry, —his Joanna's hometown—with their young , Alfie, shortly after his announcement. He expressed intentions to take an extended break to enjoy time, describing the move as an opportunity to "hang up the boots properly" and reflect on his without the demands of . This decision allowed him to avoid the disruptions of overseas play, which he had initially considered following his departure from at the end of the 2024–25 season. In the initial months post-retirement, Murray ventured into media work, serving as a studio pundit for Sky Sports coverage of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He described enjoying this summer role, which involved analysis alongside figures like Ronan O'Gara, and indicated it as a potential direction for his future, though no long-term commitments were confirmed by November 2025. Murray also released his autobiography, Cloud Nine: My Life in Rugby, in September 2025, reflecting on his career achievements and challenges, including criticisms of former Munster coach Graham Rowntree. He made guest appearances on television programs, such as The Late Late Show, where he discussed his career transition and family priorities.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Conor Murray played his entire professional club career with Munster Rugby, spanning from his debut on 18 April 2010 against Connacht in the Magners League until his retirement in September 2025. He made a total of 206 appearances for the province, scoring 37 tries during this period. These figures encompass all competitions, including the United Rugby Championship (URC, formerly Pro14/Celtic League), European Rugby Champions Cup (and its predecessors), and other fixtures. Murray's contributions were pivotal in Munster's two URC titles (2011 and 2023), where he often served as a starting scrum-half, providing tactical acumen and sniping runs close to the tryline. In domestic league play, Murray's role evolved from a promising academy product to a veteran leader, with his try-scoring peaking in the early as challenged for honors. While comprehensive seasonal breakdowns for the URC are not uniformly reported across sources, his overall output underscores his consistency, averaging approximately 0.18 tries per appearance. He also occasionally contributed points via penalties, though the stemmed from tries (5 points each). Murray's European record highlights his prowess in high-stakes matches, where he appeared 81 times, scoring 11 tries for 56 points. The following table summarizes his appearances, tries, and points in European competitions by season:
SeasonCompetitionAppearancesTriesPointsMinutes Played
2024–25Investec Champions Cup400152
2023–24Investec Champions Cup400106
2022–23Heineken Champions Cup30099
2021–22Heineken Champions Cup715456
2020–21Heineken Champions Cup300205
2019–20Heineken Champions Cup615420
2018–19Heineken Champions Cup603433
2017–18European Rugby Champions Cup8213606
2016–17European Rugby Champions Cup600418
2015–16European Rugby Champions Cup6210431
2014–15European Rugby Champions Cup415318
2013–14Heineken Cup715479
2012–13Heineken Cup8315621
2011–12Heineken Cup700N/A
2010–11Amlin Challenge Cup200N/A
Totals (European): 81 appearances, 11 tries, 56 points, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards. Murray earned 4 man-of-the-match awards in these fixtures, often noted for his breakdown work and game management.

International statistics

Conor Murray concluded his international career with Ireland after the 2025 Six Nations, having earned 125 caps since his debut against France in 2011. Over this period, he scored 18 tries, contributing to a total of 115 points, which also included 5 penalties and 5 conversions, with no drop goals recorded. His try-scoring highlights included efforts in key matches such as the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign against Italy and Scotland, underscoring his role in Ireland's attacking phase as a scrum-half.
StatisticIreland Total
Caps125
Tries18
Points115
Penalties5
Conversions5
Drop Goals0
Murray also represented the on three tours (2013, 2017, and 2021), accumulating 18 appearances, including 8 Test caps. He scored 3 tries for 15 points during these tours, with notable contributions such as a try in the 2017 second Test victory over (24-21). His Lions involvement highlighted his tactical acumen in high-stakes series, starting all three 2017 Tests and featuring off the bench in the 2021 series against .
StatisticLions Total
Appearances18
Test Caps8
Tries3
Points15

Honours and awards

Provincial and club honours

Murray enjoyed a distinguished career with , the Irish provincial , where he made his senior debut in and went on to make 206 appearances. During his tenure, he contributed to two major league titles in the domestic professional competition, now known as the United Rugby Championship (URC). These victories highlighted Munster's competitive edge in European rugby's top domestic league. The first came in the 2010–11 season under the Magners League branding, when Munster defeated Leinster 19–9 in the grand final at Thomond Park, securing their third Celtic League/Pro12 title overall. Murray, in his debut professional season, played a supporting role in the campaign that culminated in this victory. Munster's second title, in the 2022–23 URC season, saw them claim the with a 19–14 win over the in the final at . As a key scrum-half, Murray featured prominently in the that topped the African pool and advanced through the , marking the province's first league in over a decade. At club level, Murray developed through the youth and senior ranks of Garryowen FC in Limerick, debuting for their senior team in the All-Ireland League around 2008–09. While Garryowen achieved strong domestic performances during this period, including competitive showings in Division 1A, no major national titles were secured by the club with Murray's involvement in the squad.

International team honours

Conor Murray earned 125 caps for Ireland between 2011 and 2025, during which he contributed to five Six Nations Championship victories in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023, and 2024. He was a key starter in the 2018 Grand Slam campaign, where Ireland defeated all opponents including a historic 24-15 win over New Zealand earlier that year, and played in all five matches of the 2023 Grand Slam, securing the title with a 29-16 victory against England. Murray also participated in Ireland's campaigns in , , and 2023, reaching the quarter-finals each time, though no titles were won. On the tours, he featured in three expeditions: the series win over (2-1), the drawn series against (1-1-1), and the series victory against (2-1), making eight appearances across these tours.

Individual accolades

Murray's individual accolades span his academy and professional career, highlighting his consistent excellence as a scrum-half. In 2011, during his time in the Munster Rugby Academy, he received the John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year, recognizing his standout performances in his debut full season. By 2014, Murray had established himself as a key figure for Munster, earning the province's Senior Player of the Year award, as voted by fans, for his contributions to the team's campaign, including notable displays in domestic and European competitions. His international form propelled him to national and international recognition in 2017. That year, he was named Rugby Players Ireland Players' Player of the Year, selected by his peers for his pivotal in 's successes, including the tour. Later in 2017, Murray won the Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year , honoring his exceptional displays across club, , and Lions duties. Additionally, he was awarded Limerick Sports Star of the Year for 2016, reflecting his impact on the local sporting scene. In 2018, following Ireland's Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations, Murray received the Midi Olympique World Player of the Year award at the French magazine's annual ceremony, acknowledging his global influence and consistency. Murray's career achievements were further affirmed in 2020 when he was selected for the World Rugby Team of the Decade, a special edition honor recognizing his contributions to the sport over the 2010s.

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  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnz_njAMEys
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  47. https://www.espn.com/rugby/match/_/gameId/254999/league/180659
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  49. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12506/13318022/six-nations-peter-omahony-conor-murray-cian-healy-announce-ireland-retirements-for-the-end-of-championship
  50. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/mar/17/conor-murray-gives-ireland-reason-to-dream-of-making-it-big-in-japan
  51. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/09/02/irelands-rugby-world-cup-squad-named/
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  64. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/rugby-union/conor-murray-reveals-first-lions-10356683
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