Murray made hisHeineken Cup debut for Munster againstNorthampton Saints on 12 November 2011.[11][12] He won theMan-of-the-Match award for Munster in their Heineken Cup round 4 match againstScarlets on 18 December 2011.[13] 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.[14][15] He scored his first try for Munster in theUnited Rugby Championship league fixture againstGlasgow Warriors on 14 April 2012.[16] Murray won another Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's league game againstUlster on 5 May 2012.
During Munster's first2012–13 Heineken Cup game on 13 October 2012 againstRacing 92, Murray gave away a penalty late in the game to give Racing the lead, and they went on to achieve an unlikely win.[17] His performance improved in Munster's second pool match againstEdinburgh on 21 October, with Murray scoring Munster's first of four tries in a 33–0 bonus-point victory.[18] Murray scored a try in Munster's crucial victory againstEdinburgh on 13 January 2013,[19] and he scored again as Munster beatRacing 92 29–6 to secure a place in the quarter-finals.[20] He started in Munster 18–12 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory overHarlequins on 7 April 2013.[21] Murray also started the 16–10 semi-final defeat toClermont Auvergne.[22]
Conor Murray playing scrum-half for Munster
Murray started for Munster againstEdinburgh in their opening round 29–23 defeat in the2013–14 Heineken Cup on 12 October 2013.[23] He again started for Munster in the second-round game againstGloucester on 19 October 2013, which Munster won 26–10.[24] He started Munster's 36–8 win againstPerpignan on 8 December 2013, but went off injured in the first-half.[25] Murray signed a new two-year contract with Munster and theIRFU in December 2013.[26] As a result of a knee injury he suffered against Perpignan, Murray was ruled out for six weeks.[27]
Murray returned to full training on 6 January 2014, two weeks ahead of schedule.[28] Murray started the 20–7 away win againstGloucester on 11 January 2013, a win that secured quarter-final qualification.[29] He started againstEdinburgh on 19 January 2014, scoring a try in the 38–6 round 6 win that secured a home quarter-final.[30] Murray started in Munster's 47–23 Heineken Cup quarter-final win againstToulouse on 5 April 2014.[31] He started in Munster's 24–16 semi-final defeat againstToulon on 27 April 2014.[32] He converted two tries for Munster in their 55–12 win againstEdinburgh on 3 May 2014.[33] Murray won the 2014 Munster Senior Player of the Year Award on 8 May 2014.[34]
Murray captained Munster againstOspreys on 27 September 2014.[35] He was Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 34–23 win againstLeinster on 4 October 2014.[36] Murray started in Munster's firstEuropean Rugby Champions Cup game againstSale Sharks on 18 October 2014, scoring a try.[37] He started againstSaracens 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.[38] Murray started againstClermont Auvergne on 6 December 2014.[39] He also started in the reverse fixture against Clermont on 14 December 2014.[40]
Murray was ruled out of the game against Saracens on 17 January 2015 with a neck injury.[41] 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 againstEdinburgh on 11 April 2015.[42] He scored ahat-trick of tries and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 50–27 win againstDragons on 16 May 2015.[43]
Murray signed a new three-year contract with Munster and the IRFU in January 2016.[46] On 24 September 2016, Murray scored two tries in Munster's 28–14 win againstEdinburgh.[47] 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's2016–17 Pro12 fixture againstConnacht.[48] On 10 May 2017, Murray won theRugby Players IrelandPlayers' Player of the Year Award, becoming the third Munster player in a row to win the accolade afterCJ Stander (2016) andPaul O'Connell (2015).[49] On 27 May 2017, Murray won his 100th cap for Munster when he started againstScarlets in the2017 Pro12 Grand Final, which the Welsh side won 46–22.[50][51]
Murray won the Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year award in October 2017.[52] Murray scored Munster's first try in their 20–19 win againstToulon in the quarter-finals of the2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup on 31 March 2018.[53] He scored a try and a 65th minute 57-metre penalty to earn Munster a 19–17 away win againstCheetahs on 13 April 2018, a win that secured a home quarter-final for the province in the league play-offs.[54] Murray was nominated for the Rugby Players IrelandPlayers' Player of the Year award, an accolade he'd won the previous season, when the nominees were announced in April 2018.[55]
Murray signed a contract extension with Munster and the IRFU in September 2018.[56] Having missed the opening stages on the 2018–19 season due to a neck injury, including the2018 Autumn Tests, Murray made his return from injury during Munster'sPro14 round 9 fixture against Italian sideZebre, featuring off the bench and replacingNeil Cronin in the second half of the provinces 32–7 away win.[57] Murray won his 50th Champions Cup cap in Munster's 9–7 victory againstExeter Chiefs during round 6 of the2018–19 tournament on 19 January 2019, a result that ensured Munster advanced to a record 18th Champions Cup quarter-final.[58]
Murray earned his 150th cap for Munster in their 24–20 home defeat against provincial rivalsConnacht in round 3 of thePro14 Rainbow Cup on 14 May 2021.[59] He signed a contract extension with Munster and theIRFU in December 2021, a deal that will see Murray remain with his home province until at least July 2024.[60] He started in Munster's 19–14 win against theStormers in thefinal of the2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 27 May 2023.[61]
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 the2024–25 season.[62]
Murray was selected in Ireland's training squad for the2011 Rugby World Cup warm-ups in August.[63] He made his Ireland debut againstFrance as a substitute on 13 August 2011.[64] His second cap came two weeks later againstEngland, again as a substitute.[65] He was also selected in Ireland's final 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand.[66] Murray's first start, and third cap, came against theUnited States in Ireland's openingPool C match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[67] Murray came off the bench during Ireland's historic 15–6 victory againstAustralia at the World Cup.[68] He started for Ireland in their final Pool C game againstItaly, putting a strong performance as Ireland won 36–6.[69] He was retained as scrum-half in Ireland'squarter-final againstWales, which Ireland lost 22–10.[70]
Murray was selected in Ireland's 24-man squad for the2012 Six Nations Championship.[71] 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.[72] A knee injury sustained in the Test againstFrance 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.[73] Murray retained the Ireland number 9 jersey for the first test againstNew Zealand on 9 June 2012.[74] He also started the second test against New Zealand a week later and, during the game, scored his first try for Ireland.[75] Murray started the third test, which Ireland lost 60–0, their heaviest ever defeat.[76]
Murray continued in the number 9 jersey for Ireland's opening2012 Autumn Series test againstSouth Africa on 10 November 2012.[77] Murray also started in Ireland's uncapped friendly againstFiji on 17 November 2012,[78] and againstArgentina on 24 November 2012.[79]
Murray was named in Ireland's training squad for the2013 Six Nations Championship on 17 January 2013.[80] He started at scrum-half for Ireland's opening 30–22 win against Wales on 2 February 2013,[81] their 12–6 defeat to England on 10 February 2013,[82] and the 12–8 loss to Scotland.[83] He put in an outstanding performance to win the Man-of-the Match award in Ireland's 13–13 draw with France.[84] He started in Ireland's final game of the tournament, a 22–15 loss to Italy, on 16 March 2013.[85]
On 23 October 2013, Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the2013 Autumn Tests.[86] He started againstSamoa on 9 November 2013.[87] He came off the bench againstAustralia on 16 November 2013.[88] Murray regained his starting place for the test againstNew Zealand on 24 November 2013, scoring his second try for Ireland during the game, which New Zealand narrowly won 24–22.[89]
On 27 January 2014, Murray was named in Ireland's 34-man squad for the opening two fixtures of the2014 Six Nations Championship.[90] He started againstScotland on 2 February 2014.[91] Murray started againstWales on 8 February 2014.[92] Murray started in the 13–10 loss toEngland on 22 February 2014.[93] He started againstItaly on 8 March 2014.[94] Murray started the 22–20 win away toFrance on 15 March 2014, a win that secured the 2014 Championship for Ireland.[95]
Murray was named in the Ireland squad for their2014 Tour to Argentina on 19 May 2014.[96] He started the first test againstArgentina on 7 June 2014.[97] Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the2014 Autumn Series on 21 October 2014.[98] He started in the 29–15 win againstSouth Africa on 8 November 2014, setting upTommy Bowe's try.[99] Murray also started in the 26–23 win againstAustralia on 22 November 2014.[100]
Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the2015 Six Nations Championship on 1 February 2015.[101] He started againstItaly on 7 February 2015, scoring a try in Ireland's 26–3 win.[102] Murray started againstFrance on 14 February 2015.[103] He started in the 19–9 win againstEngland on 1 March 2015.[104] Murray started againstWales on 14 March 2015.[105] He started againstScotland on 21 March 2015.[106] 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.[107] Murray was nominated for theIRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2015 Award in April 2015.[108]
Murray was named in the 45-man training squad for the2015 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 2015.[109] He started the warm-up game againstWales on 29 August 2015.[110] Murray was selected in the final 31-man squad for the World Cup when it was announced on 1 September 2015.[111] He started in the final warm-up game againstEngland on 5 September 2015.[112] Murray started the opening pool game againstCanada on 19 September 2015.[113] He came off the bench in the second pool game againstRomania on 27 September 2015.[114] Murray started againstItaly on 4 October 2015.[115] He started againstFrance on 11 October 2015, scoring the second try in Ireland's 24–9 win.[116] Murray started for Ireland in their 43–20quarter-final defeat againstArgentina on 18 October 2015.[117]
On 20 January 2016, Murray was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the2016 Six Nations Championship.[118] 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.[119] On 13 February 2016, Murray started against France in Ireland's second game of the Six Nations.[120] 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 teammateJohnny Sexton.[121]
On 25 May 2016, Murray was named in the 32-man Ireland squad to tour South Africa in a3-test series.[122] On 11 June 2016, Murray started in the first test againstSouth Africa, scoring a try in Ireland's historic 26–20 win.[123] On 26 October 2016, Murray was named in Ireland's squad for the2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[124] On 5 November 2016, Murray started in Ireland's test againstNew Zealand atSoldier Field,Chicago, scoring a try and a penalty in a 40–29 win that was Ireland's first ever against the All Blacks.[125] On 23 January 2017, Murray was named in the Ireland squad for the opening two rounds of the2017 Six Nations Championship.[126] On 25 February 2017, Murray scored a try and earned the Man-of-the-Match award in Ireland's 19–9 win againstFrance.[127] Following his performances in the tournament, Murray was nominated for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship award, alongside teammateCJ Stander.[128]
Conor Murray playing during Ireland's 2023 Six Nations match against Italy
Murray was ever-present for Ireland during the2019 Six Nations Championship, starting in the 32–20 opening defeat againstEngland,[139] the 22–13 win againstScotland,[140] the 26–16 win againstItaly,[141] the 26–14 win againstFrance[142] and the 25–7 defeat againstWales in the final round, a victory that saw the Welsh win the grand slam.[143] He was selected in the 31-man Ireland squad for the2019 Rugby World Cup,[144] having featured in thewarm-up match againstEngland[145] and the second warm-up againstWales. During the World Cup itself, O'Mahony started in Ireland's opening 27–3 win againstScotland,[146] their shock 19–12 defeat against hostsJapan,[147] the 47–5 win againstSamoa in their final pool game,[148] and in the comprehensive 46–14 defeat againstNew Zealand in the quarter-finals, which brought an end to Ireland's 2019 World Cup.[149]
Retained by new head coachAndy Farrell in his squad for the2020 Six Nations Championship, Murray started in Ireland's 19–12 opening win against Scotland on 1 February 2020,[150] and in their 24–14 win against defending champions Wales on 8 February,[151] and their 24–12 defeat against England,[152] before the tournament was suspended due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[153] The tournament eventually resumed in October 2020, with Murray starting in Ireland's 50–17 win against Italy[154] and the 35–27 defeat against France in their final fixture of the tournament.[155]
With the usual format of end-of-year international tests not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland instead participated in theAutumn Nations Cup. Murray was used as a replacement in the 32–9 opening win against Wales on 13 November[156] and in the 18–7 defeat against England on 21 November,[157] then started in the 23–10 win againstGeorgia on 29 November,[158] and the 31–16 win against Scotland on 5 December, which secured a third-place finish for Ireland in the tournament.[159] Murray was named inWorld Rugby's Men's 15s Team of the Decade for 2010–2019 in December 2020.[160]
Murray started in Ireland's 21–16 defeat againstWales in their opening2021 Six Nations Championship fixture,[161] however, Murray sustained a hamstring during training which ruled him out of Ireland's next three fixtures,[162] though he returned from the injury to start for Ireland in their 32–18 win againstEngland in the final round.[163] During the2021 Autumn Nations Series, Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 60–5 win againstJapan on 6 November,[164] and in the famous 29–20 win againstNew Zealand on 13 November,[165] before replacing the injuredJamison Gibson-Park to start in the 53–7 win againstArgentina in Ireland's final fixture of the series on 21 November.[166]
Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 29–7 win againstWales in their opening fixture of the2022 Six Nations Championship on 5 February,[167] their 30–24 defeat away toFrance on 12 February,[168] their 32–15 away win againstEngland on 12 March,[169] and the 26–5 home win againstScotland on 19 March that secured theTriple Crown for Ireland.[170] He was selected in the squad for the2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand,[171] and featured off the bench in the 42–19 defeat againstNew Zealand in the first test on 2 July.[172] 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,[173] 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.[174] Murray earned his 100th cap for Ireland when he started in their2022 Autumn Nations Series fixture againstSouth Africa on 5 November 2022,[175][176] though he left the field injured during the first half of Ireland's 19–16 win.[177] That injury subsequently ruled Murray out of the remaining Autumn Nations Series matches.[178]
AfterJamison Gibson-Park pulled out before kick-off due to injury, Murray was promoted to the starting XV for Ireland's opening fixture of the2023 Six Nations Championship againstWales on 4 February, being replaced by Munster teammateCraig Casey during the second half of Ireland's 34–10 away win.[179] With Gibson-Park also ruled out of the round two fixture at home toFrance 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,[180] however, Murray was able to start in Ireland's 32–19 win before being replaced during the second-half.[181] Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 34–20 away win againstItaly in round three on 25 February,[182] before returning to the starting XV for the 22–7 away win againstScotland on 12 March.[183] With Gibson-Park selected to start in Ireland's final fixture of the tournament againstEngland on 18 March, Murray was used as a replacement in the 29–16 home win that secured thegrand slam for Ireland.[184]
During the2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Murray featured as a replacement in Ireland's 29–10 win againstEngland on 19 August[185] before starting in their 17–13 win againstSamoa on 26 August.[186] He was selected in Ireland's 33-man squad for the2023 Rugby World Cup,[187] and featured as a replacement in their opening 82–8 win againstRomania on 9 September,[188] before starting in the 59–16 win againstTonga in Ireland's second pool game on 16 September,[189] and featuring off the bench in the 13–8 win againstSouth Africa on 23 September,[190] the 36–14 win againstScotland on 7 October,[191] and the 28–24 defeat againstNew Zealand in the quarter-finals on 14 October.[192]
In February 2025, he announced, alongside teammatesCian Healy andPeter O'Mahony that he would be retiring from international rugby following the conclusion of the2025 Six Nations Championship.[193] 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.[194]
Murray was selected as one of three scrum-halves in the squad for2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, named on 30 April 2013.[195] He came on as a substitute in the opening fixture of the tour against theBarbarians on 1 June 2013.[196] Murray started in the Lions 69–17 victory againstWestern Force on 5 June 2013.[197] He started againstCombined New South Wales–Queensland Country on 11 June 2013, scoring his first try for the Lions in the 64–0 tour match win.[198] Murray came off the bench againstBrumbies on 18 June 2013.[199] He started againstMelbourne Rebels on 25 June 2013, scoring his second try of the tour during the game.[200] Murray came off the bench during the second test againstAustralia to win his first cap for the Lions on 29 June 2013.[201] He also came off the bench during the Lions third test victory, a win which secured the series win for the Lions.[202]
In April 2017, Murray was selected in the British & Irish Lions squad for the2017 tour to New Zealand, his second Lions call-up.[203] On 10 June 2017, Murray made his first appearance and start for the Lions on the tour, doing so in the match against theCrusaders inAMI Stadium.[204][205] On 17 June, Murray made his second appearance of the tour, starting in the Lions record 32–10 victory against theMāori All Blacks inRotorua International Stadium.[206] On 24 June, Murray started for the Lions in their 30–15 first test defeat againstNew Zealand inEden Park, making his first test start for the side.[207][208] On 1 July, Murray started the second test against the All Blacks, scoring a try in the Lions 24–21 victory inWestpac Stadium. It was the Lions' first test win against New Zealand since1993 and the first time New Zealand had lost a test at home since losing toSouth Africa in2009.[209][210] Murray's try made him the first northern hemisphere player to score four tries against New Zealand.[211] 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.[212][213]
Murray was selected for his third British & Irish Lions tour when the squad for the2021 tour to South Africa was announced in May 2021.[214] Following original captainAlun Wyn Jones' injury in the warm-up match againstJapan on 26 June, Murray was made the new captain by head coach byWarren Gatland, with Gatland citing the regard Murray is held in by his fellow players and his previous Lions experience as factors in the decision,[215] whilst Murray himself described becoming Lions captain as an "unbelievable honour".[216] Extraordinarily, Jones recovered from his injury in time to rejoin the tour before the tests and resumed the captaincy.[217]
Murray made his first appearance of the 2021 tour in the aforementioned 28–10 warm-up win against Japan on 26 June,[218] before featuring off the bench in the 71–31 win against theSharks on 10 July[219] and starting in the 17–13 defeat againstSouth Africa 'A' on 14 July.[220] To the surprise of some, Scottish scrum-halfAli Price was selected ahead of Murray to start the first test againstSouth Africa on 24 July,[221] though Murray featured off the bench to help the Lions close out a 22–17 win against the Springboks.[222] The victory made Murray one of only ten players to have won a Lions test match against all three ofAustralia,New Zealand andSouth Africa.[223] Murray was restored to the starting XV ahead of the second test,[224] which South Africa won 27–9 on 31 July to take the series to a deciding third test,[225] for which head coach Gatland again selected Ali Price to start,[226] 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.[227]
Note 1:Robert Seddon died on tour after a boating accident.Andrew Stoddart became captain for the remainder of the tour.
Note 2:Matthew Mullineux decided that after losing the first test that he should withdraw from further test matches, handing on field captaincy toFrank Stout, but remained tour captain. Note 3:David Bedell-Sivright was injured during the first test.Teddy Morgan took over captaincy on the field but Bedell-Sivright remained tour captain. Note 4: The team thatJohn Raphael captained was not selected by the four Home Nations governing body, but had been organised by Oxford University and billed as the English Rugby Union team. However, it was considered the Combined British team by Argentina because it also included three Scots. Note 5:Jack Jones was captain for the first test, butTommy Smyth remained the tour captain. Note 6:Bleddyn Williams captained in the third and fourth tests v New Zealand and the first test v Australia. Note 7:Cliff Morgan captained in the third test. Note 8:David Watkins captained in the second and foruth tests v New Zealand. Note 9:Michael Owen captained the Lions in the first tour game, the test vs. Argentina in Cardiff.Brian O'Driscoll was injured at the beginning of the first test against New Zealand.Gareth Thomas replaced him as tour captain. Note 10:Sam Warburton was injured in the second test.Alun Wyn Jones replaced him as captain for the third test. Note 11: Tour captainSam Warburton was named on the bench for the first test.Peter O'Mahony was the captain on the field.
Note 12: Tour captainAlun Wyn Jones left the squad for 17 days due to an injury in the first warm-up match, and was replaced byConor Murray temporarily.
.jpg)
Argentina
Australia*
Canada
England
Fiji
France
Georgia
Italy
Japan*
New Zealand*
Romania
Samoa
Scotland
South Africa*
Tonga
United States
Wales