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'It's nice to be able to focus on one position': Jordi Murphy revelling in run at 7

The former Leinster man is hoping to make his presence felt ‘in the thick of things’ against his former club this weekend.

FLEXIBILITY IS FINE and a utility player is nothing but an asset for coaches, but Jordi Murphy is thoroughly enjoying the chance to rest his focus with one position this season.

The Ulster back row was a key component of Ireland and Leinster’s success last season, initially popping up as a conspicuous gamechanger wearing number 20 and then finding himself playing number 8 in all three European knockout rounds for his native province.

Leinster's Jordi Murphy Murphy played at number 8 in last year's Champions Cup final. Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

He is capable of excelling in all three back row positions, but he has been able to devote his full attention to the number 7 shirt on provincial duty this season.

“It’s just been great to have been injury free and playing in the one position the entire season,” Murphy said at a Kingspan media day ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leinster at the Kingspan stadium.

“I love the fact that I’ve been able to play 6, 7 and 8 and it’s gotten me into a lot of places in the past with some coaches that have liked the versatility, but sometimes I feel like that may have harmed me when it came down to 50/50 decisions and they picked someone who played more consistently in the one position.

“It’s been great that I’ve been able to play that seven position and it’s great that Dan has put me there week in and week out and it’s been a really exciting year and we just want to build on it again and again.”

Jordi Murphy Kingspan delivers high efficiency, low carbon building solutions and is the naming rights partner and front of jersey sponsor of Ulster Rugby. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Murphy, who turned 28 this week, says it’s tough to describe precisely how different the three positions are, but broadly speaking he is expected to carry far more when wearing number 8 and has much more set-piece responsibility on the blindside.

I just like getting into the thick of things, the not-so-nice part of it, the rucking and everything, I just like it.”

While the nature of the work may change though, the workload doesn’t necessarily get cut away for Murphy. With Ulster he must still prepare to cover another position as contingency and his versatility is still a quality Joe Schmidt is putting to use. But as he prepares to face his former club (Saturday, kick-off 17.15) again, he speaks like a man enjoying the rhythm. 

It’s definitely one of those things that I wouldn’t take away, but it’s nice to be able to focus on one position for a while.”

Outside of his performances, Murphy feels he has grown in other ways since moving north. In a Leinster side brimming with Lions and internationals there must be a temptation to blend in and keep focus solely on your own role. Murphy entered Ulster as  a marquee signing and he has had to somewhat coax himself to fulfil all aspects of what he feels that entails.

Jordi Murphy Murphy in action against Leicester in January. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

“Not on the pitch, but externally I think I’ve grown quite a lot as a leader.

“You come from Leinster and you’ve got like 20 internationals and then you come to Ulster and in the last couple of years they’ve had like five or six so I suppose bringing that kind of experience and leadership to the group.

“While it may not have been the most comfortable thing for me at the start I’ve been in the professional game for a bit longer than some of the boys so it’s just about expressing myself better and be a bit more of a leader to them.”

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:37 PM

    You liat the KO at 14:30…. isn’t it 15:00? I’m booked in for a full head of highlights at 1 and won’t make a half 2 kick off……

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    Mute Boo Radley
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    May 9th 2019, 1:41 PM

    @Bungee Aky: no it’s been changed to 2:30! You’d wanna tell the hairdresser to get a move on

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:46 PM

    @Boo Radley: you can’t rush perfection

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 1:36 PM

    Anybody got an update on the Bill Johnston move to Ulster? Asking for a friend.

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 1:37 PM

    @Jim Demps: is your friend Rochelle?

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 1:40 PM

    @Bungee Aky: don’t be silly Rochelle has no friends

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 1:41 PM

    @Jim Demps: is it a case of use it or lose it.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Chris Mc: I’m all for it, hope it’s happening. It’d be a great move for him, Ulster and for munster.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 3:51 PM

    @Jim Demps: I’m not sure how it’s good for munster but he does need rugby at this stage.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 5:12 PM

    @Chris Mc: no point in having a 28, 26, 23 and 22 year old all vying for the same position. If Johnston moves on we’ve got a good balance there. At the moment with carbery the same age as him Johnston isn’t going to be given a fair chance so a move will suit him. For munster they can break in Ben Healy and give him the exposure as a young talent. It’s too easy for people to look at Johnston and say he was never given a chance but you can’t ignore his injuries. Two dislocated shoulders and a broken leg for a 22 year old is an awful lot of injuries and it’s bound to slow down his progression. Van Graan has shown that he will give young talent the chance it needs and I’d expect that to continue.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 9th 2019, 7:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: fair enough.

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    Mute Andrew H
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    May 9th 2019, 7:54 PM

    @Jim Demps: ‘exposure as a young talent’

    When are you going to see what happens at Munster??

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 9th 2019, 8:39 PM

    @Andrew H: I see it every game I go to Andrew. I’ve seen wycherley, loughman, Shane Daly, Gavin Coombes, o Connor and more all excel. You’re just using Bill Johnston as a tired old excuse to beat munster with. Too easy to compare young lads to Ryan and larmour, once in a generation talents who have as much international as club games under their belt. Try comparing them to their peers, Conor o brien to goggin, josh Murphy to wycherley, abdaladze to loughman and the picture might be a bit clearer for you.

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 1:47 PM

    2:30pm? My ticket says 3pm

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 2:00 PM

    @Thomyk: game will be over by then and Munsters season finished.

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 2:05 PM

    @Bungee Aky: could be right there lad , win r lose it’s supporting them that matters

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 2:26 PM

    @Thomyk: naw, nothing beats winning, you just forgot that it’s been so long

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    Mute Thomyk
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    May 9th 2019, 2:31 PM

    @Bungee Aky: won last Saturday pal , and I’m fairly sure we won a few games this season to, so maybe your talking through your anus now ?

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 3:19 PM

    Are you two done? Now up to your rooms and do your homework and leave your phones down.

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    May 9th 2019, 3:22 PM

    @Thomyk: winning wars not battles

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    Mute Rory D
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    May 10th 2019, 2:30 AM

    @Bungee Aky: grow a brain

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 3:01 PM

    Should be a belter and intimacy of the RDS for such a big game is again great as opposed to 3/4 full Aviva. Re KO info came out earlier for 2.30 KO on PRO14 Twitter

    “Semi-Final KO Update: @leinsterrugby v @Munsterrugby to kick off at 14:30 on Saturday May 18 – live on @eirSport & @PremierSportsTV
    #GuinnessPRO14”

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    Mute Eoin Murphy
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    May 9th 2019, 3:59 PM

    @mrbryanrussell: if lowe plays it could be a rout

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    May 9th 2019, 4:59 PM

    @Eoin Murphy: don’t think so, one thing is for certain let’s hope they don’t get sucked in like last time and focus on getting the job done. Should be a great match hopefully JVdF is back in the squad too as well as Joey

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    Mute sup
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    May 9th 2019, 9:02 PM

    Will be tough for Leinster. Either they’ll all be hungover after winning the European cup, or in a sad shitty mood with no desire to play.

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    Mute Richard James
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    May 9th 2019, 10:42 PM

    @sup: They’re highly motivated to do the double and if they lose to Saracens their determination will be even greater to win a trophy this season.

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