Despite ultimately losing by two points, Munster delivered one of their most complete performances of the year against the Northampton Saints, with veteran scrumhalf Conor Murray rolling back the years with an ice-cold performance.
In an age where rugby fans are increasingly going in search of young half-backs and electric-paced rugby, it was veteran Conor Murray who inserted the spark into Munster's play.
While even his best efforts couldn't keep Munster from succumbing to a two-point loss to the Saints, the past two weeks have seen Murray make a triumphant return to rugby's biggest stage.
In the absence of Craig Casey, who looks set to be sidelined for the season, Murray has once again found the province pinning their hopes on him, with the Munchins man delivering a rare eighty-minute stint in his side's win over Saracens last week, before proving himself as one of, if not Ian Costello's best players against the Saints.
Conor Murray reels back the years with vintage showing
It was a vintage performance from the scrumhalf who rolled back his vintage years, dishing out moments of sheer brilliance one after another against one of the strongest defences in the competition.
None of those moments were more emphatic than his no-look pass which sent Diarmuid Kilgallen crashing over the line for his second try of the day, salvaging a game that looked set to slip out of Munster's hands.
This was terribly tasty from Murray to open up the space.
No trot in for Kilgallen either, had a lot of work to do and finished it well. pic.twitter.com/d7VwcbhgDm— Jim Demps (@jim_demps) January 19, 2025
It wasn't Murray's only electric contribution either, much earlier in the fixture Murray had sliced Northampton's renowned defence open with a perfectly timed box kick that set Calvin Nash up for his first of two tries.
Yet when it mattered, it was Murray's defensive efforts that proved as crucial as his attacking prowess, with the 35-year-old using all his experience and cheek in both winding down the minutes Munster were reduced to fourteen men in the first half and expertly box kicking out of trouble throughout.
The dark arts from Conor Murray an experienced scrum half@bernardjackman #NORvMUN #Championscup pic.twitter.com/7oYkA2vDAi
— RugbyEdgeTips (@RugbyEdgeTips) January 18, 2025
Piling onto social media after the performance, Munster fans were once again hailing Murray who over recent seasons has struggled to stand out from the unbelievably high standard he set for himself.
He changes every team he plays for. He’s the smartest rugby player in the world.
— Oscar Laomdha Ó Donnabháin (@LaomdhaOscar) January 19, 2025
There is an argument to be made that Conor Murray is the form 9 in Ireland once again
Shades of 2014-2018 off his last two performances https://t.co/wZhNYNA8FQ
— The Red Army Podcast (@RedArmyPod) January 19, 2025
Despite him delivering what was arguably one of his best performances in an age, the end could theoretically be near for Murray. The Limerick man, who recently became a father, last week revealed that he was yet to even think about signing a contract with Munster. The scrumhalf's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, meaning not only could Munster's round-of-sixteen tie be his last in the fabled European competition, but next month's Six Nations could also be the last time we see him don the green jersey for Ireland.
I was out for December and I was really keen to get back fit and I managed to do that and get back on the pitch last weekend, and I really enjoyed the week, I enjoyed the game obviously, I got to play 80 which I hadn't done in a while and really loved that.
In terms of the contract, it's not that I'm not talking about it, I just haven't given it thought just yet and I don't really have anything to say to you (about it).
I just want to enjoy rugby, I know the end is soon, I don't know when that will be but I just want to make sure I stay fit and enjoy it while I can.
Should it be his last hoorah in Green, Murray looks to go out not struggling for game time, but as a scrumhalf still capable of delivering performances akin to that of his prime.
As Ireland prepare to mount yet another Six Nations attempt, his rejuvenation could not have come at a better time.
