GEORDAN MURPHY HAS retired from international rugby, once and for all.

Murphy has effectively been retired from Ireland duty since the autumn’s World Cup.

The Leicester Tigers captain had expressed a wish not to be involved in a wider squad in January.

However, he did make himself available for emergency selection in the Six Nations if an injury required him to come in and cover a back three position.

With Monday’s anouncment of a touring squad to face New Zealand, Murphy reacted to his omission by telling the Leicester Mercury:

“I am not in and you know when it’s time to hang up your boots at any level,” said the 72 times capped fullback.

“I have had some tremendous memories with the squad but it is time for some young lads to come in and prepare for the next World Cup. I haven’t spoken to him (Kidney) about it, but I am going to give him a shout. That’s it.”

Murphy was included in the World Cup squad due to an injury to Felix Jones and loss of form from Luke Fitzgerald. His last game in green came in the win over Russia in Rotorua.

He scored 18 tries, a penalty, a conversion and a drop goal for Ireland and also had the final touch of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning game against Wales in 2009.

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