Murphy makes his mark at Leicester

Geordan Murphy's slightly unconventional route to a place on the Leicester team for last Saturday's cup match against Coventry serves simply to illustrate his prodigious ability.

The 19-year-old Kildare-born full-back enjoyed a stunning afternoon, dropping a 45-metre goal and producing a quality of performance that belied his inexperience at this level: but Murphy, a product of Newbridge College and Naas RFC is far from immature in rugby development terms, or in his facility for handling unaccustomed attention.

His presence at Welford Road is a testament to his talent. A member of the Newbridge side thrashed by Blackrock in the Leinster Schools Cup final two years ago, Murphy ignored the overture of several senior clubs in favour of local junior side Naas - an inauspicious beginning for the route that he has taken.

He explains: "Naas's New Zealand coach Richard West coached us at Newbridge and I suppose has been a central influence in my rugby career. I listened to offers from senior clubs who offered me a place on their under-20 teams and then the possibility of first team rugby a couple of years down the line.

"West asked me if I wanted to play under-20 rugby or first team and I knew that I didn't want to keep coming up against the guys faces that I saw in the schools game. I wanted a different experience so I decided to play for Naas, also because my brother Ross was captain, It is something that I don't regret. We played entertaining rugby and I enjoyed the experience."

Last Sunday, Naas took on Mullingar in the Gale Cup final: it was only 12 months ago that Murphy played in the previous final, ironically between the same teams, scoring 11 points. He has accomplished a great deal in the interim.

A three week trial at Leicester in September precipitated the offer of a contract, a fate shared by former schoolmate and Naas scrumhalf James Ferris. "Kevin West advised us to take the trial in the first place. I was very impressed at the conditions and jumped at the opportunity when they offered me a contract."

Murphy secured a place at a local university, undertaking a three-year course in property and business studies, primarily at the behest of his parents. A serious of impressive performances for the seconds prompted former Australian coach Bob Dwyer to call Murphy into the first-team squad just before Christmas. This culminated in an appearance last Saturday.

"I had played a couple of Cheltenham Cup games when the first team was hugely reduced by international commitments so I was very nervous when I looked around the dressingroom prior to the Coventry match and saw so many Lions: but everyone was great. Joel Stransky gave me a little talk beforehand, basically saying to just go out and enjoy it. Martin Johnson was very considerate too.

"The drop goal that I scored came about quite by chance. The Coventry scrumhalf miscued a garryowen, our winger misjudged it and the ball bounced. I just picked it up, looked and saw them coming up in a line and decided to have a go. Fortunately it went over." The reaction from his team-mates was one of incredulity given that he was on the halfway line at the time. Murphy conceded: "Joel Stransky just laughed."

It was the Irish player's ability to counter-attack with ball in hand that earned the most plaudits and the confidence he displayed in some sleight of hand in possession. Dwyer singled out Murphy for praise as did Stransky who added a cautionary note.

"He told me that I had done very well but said that it was important to concentrate on eliminating mistakes and that I had made a few of these. He said that I had potential and he would like me to do well."

Murphy attributes his success to his time at Newbridge and the six months that he spent at Auckland Grammar School in New Zealand on a schools exchange programme. Ferris, Dermot O'Sullivan (Skerries) and Paul (Clontarf) also made the trip.

He was a member of the Ireland team that competed in the FIRA Under-19 World Cup in Argentina last year and concedes that his priority this season is to take the next step and command a place on the under-21 side. "I'd love to get involved but as such there has been no contact from those involved in the under 21 set-up as of yet."

Murphy cherishes thoughts of a place against Wasps at the weekend but as of now may have to content himself with a place on the bench: in all probability a transitory phase for a young player of immense promise.