GEORDAN MURPHY HAS not given up on the possibility of making Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad, as Declan Kidney finalises his panel for Saturday’s warm-up game against France in Bordeaux.
The veteran full-back made his return from a seven-month injury lay-off last night, playing 50 minutes in the Leicester Tigers’ 50-24 friendly defeat against Montpellier in Millau.
Murphy, 33, has been sidelined since early January when he damaged ligaments and broke bones in his ankle during an Aviva Premiership game against Northampton.
The Dubliner already has two World Cup caps under his belt, both from 2007 when he scored in the 30-15 pool defeat against Argentina.
In 2003, he was virtually guaranteed a place on the plane to Australia before suffering a cruel leg break during the final warm-up match against Scotland.
Meanwhile, three members of the experimental side which lost 10-6 in Murrayfield on Saturday have been released back to Munster, possibly signalling the end of their World Cup dreams.
Mick O’Driscoll, Niall Ronan, and Marcus Horan all returned to work with the province this morning ahead of a training camp in France which concludes with a game against La Rochelle on Friday.
