Former Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss has delivered a fitting tribute to the retiring trio of Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, claiming that the latter could still mix it with the best if he was starting.
Healy, O'Mahony and Murray all announced their retirement from international rugby at the end of last week, with their last home foray in green set to be this Saturday's potential Six Nations decider with France in the Aviva Stadium.
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Kiss, who was an assistant coach under both Declan Kidney and Joe Schmidt was already in situ when the three veterans made their international test debuts and watched them develop from debutants to key leaders through a six-year tenure that included two World Cup cycles.
11 June 2013; Ireland interim head coach Les Kiss, left, and captain Peter O'Mahony in BMO Stadium ahead of their game against Canada on Saturday. Ireland Rugby Summer Tour 2013. Toronto, Canada. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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Les Kiss pays tribute to retiring trio of Ireland legends
Speaking on the Telegraph Rugby Podcast, Kiss praised the impact Conor Murray has had during a career that has seen him claim five Six Nations titles, two league titles and tour with the Lions three times.
"He's just gone from strength to strength behind a strong forward pack at Munster" said Kiss.
As a young man with the pack he was working with you had to learn quickly. When you're working with the Paul O'Connell's..of the world you have to make sure you're on point. That school of hard knocks he had to work with I think helped him really accelarate what he was capable of.
You mentioned he's made an art-form of coming off the bench and doing his bit as well, but I think he could start five or six tests in a row and still do the job as well as Gibson-Park is doing at the moment. You know it's great to have those options that Irish rugby do have.
If nothing else, the current Queensland Reds coach's belief that Murray could still deliver performances as high-quality as Gibson-Park who is widely regarded as one of the best in the world in the position, bodes well for Murray's upcoming attempt to continue his club career in Europe.
Kiss also had similar praise for both Healy and O'Mahony, calling the prop 'phenomenal', 'explosive' and crediting him for setting 'a new standard' with the Irish jersey on, before hailing the 'warrior' Peter O'Mahony.
Peter O'Mahony - as tough as cheek, nothing seemed to keep him down, he'd throw his body on the line...he does have this old school style to his game that's relevant in the modern game.
He was at the cold face for all those (crucial moments), just look at him he looks like a battled warrior but he just never gave an inch.
Their former coach, also laid huge credit at the feet of the retiring trio for the success Ireland has enjoyed in recent years.
"They've all played a massive part in what's happened in the last decade and a bit" Claimed Kiss.
The three of them, what's happened over the last twelve, fifteen years they've been central to a lot of that. On the back of them, they've been able to ensure that Irish rugby has thrived.
They would have had offers overseas, they would have had chances to move elsewhere but they stuck strong to the cause, (they're) true legends of the Irish game that's for sure.
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