Conor Murray takes on Jonathan Davies during Ireland's loss to Wales
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David Kelly looks at the emergence of Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, and points to the work of Munster boss Tony McGahan as a key factor, in The Irish Independent.
"In all the rush to praise the Irish management for being at the cutting edge of player evolution, Conor Murray reminded us this week that, in fact, his rapid progression owes more to his outgoing Munster coach.
"After all, Tony McGahan was far quicker than his erstwhile boss, Declan Kidney, in ascertaining that Tomas O'Leary's sudden decline in form was irreversible last year; hence Murray's rapid promotion from the Munster academy to World Cup starter with Ireland.
"This time last year, Kidney was still keeping the faith, despite the sadly visible struggles of O'Leary to recreate his Grand Slam form; his selection of the Corkman in Rome was one of the reasons Ireland very nearly succumbed to the battling Italians."
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