For his first day as the temporary head coach with Ulster, Richie Murphy began his week on an early Monday morning. However, he barely has time to acclimate to Belfast as his duties require him to promptly fly to South Africa. Here, the Irish province is scheduled to participate in two URC matches opposing the Sharks and Stormers.
As of now, an agreement has yet to be reached on whether Murphy will coach the Ireland Under-20 team in the Junior World Championship in Cape Town this summer. Regardless of that outcome, his accomplishments with the age-grade team are noteworthy. He successfully led them to consecutive Grand Slam victories and during his last three Six Nations campaigns, the team remained undefeated. They narrowly lost this year’s title to England, a match which resulted in a draw in Bath.
Looking at Murphy’s track record for the Ireland Under-20s, he’s had a successful run over the years. Notably, in the 2023 World Junior Championship held in Cape Town, despite mixed results during the pool stage, the team put up a brave fight to reach the finals.
In other news, after 33 years of service, well-respected Scottish and Lions doctor, Dr. James Robson, has announced his retirement. Last Saturday evening marked his final assignment with the Scotland rugby team at the Aviva Stadium. His journey with the national team began in 1991, initially working as a physiotherapist. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Robson lent his expertise to Scotland in eight World Cups and served as the team doctor on six Lions Tours. Not only is he admired among players, he is also well-liked by journalists who occasionally sought him out for treatment.
The abilities of Robson were showcased remarkably when he attended to England centre Will Greenwood, who had been knocked unconscious during a match with the Cheetahs while on the 1997 Lions tour. Robson described the event as nerve-racking, as they had to secure Greenwood’s breathing while listening to his anxieties from outside the room. Such incidents induce thoughts of extreme measures to protect the players, such as possibly cutting into a player’s throat.
Robson also played an instrumental role in advocating for the national guideline titled ‘If in doubt, sit them out’, established in 2014. Additionally, he made significant contributions to the development of the first-ever Brain Health Clinic in partnership with the Brain Health Trust. This organisation, located at Murrayfield, invites past international rugby players for brain health checks.
Regarding his rugby journey, Robson has reflected on it positively. He believes rugby has allotted him ample opportunities and he has hopefully reciprocated over time. For him, it’s fundamental to continually ensure the well-being of all players at varying levels as several individuals in the rugby sphere are involved in preserving these standards.
In the meantime, Calvin Nash was commended for his excellent performance during the Six Nations Championship. After recovering from injuries, the Munster winger seized the opportunity left by injured players Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien. Nash’s progression has been remarkable after enduring extensive time healing from his injuries.
Andy Farrell’s foresight to include Nash on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in 2022 demonstrated mutual success for both parties involved. Nash’s experience from the tour and his subsequent progression at Munster has allowed him to showcase his skillset effectively.
The 26-year-old player made his mark during the Six Nations tournament, scoring a memorable try against France at the Vélodrome in Marseille. Although it may seem an easy feat, his continued performance in his debut match and the subsequent game against Italy, indicates his inherent knack for reaching the try line. Any reservations about his ability to cope with the top tier of test rugby were quickly quelled by his outstanding displays on the field.
Sharing his thoughts post-match in Lyon, French coach Fabien Galthie likened the situation to a philosophical viewpoint similar to Jean-Paul Sartre’s. He appreciated the squad’s relentless efforts and the beauty in their hard-fought victory. Quoting Galthie, “All this is moving at a rapid pace and it’s important to remember that these are men, not machines. The situation is delicate, everything perceived as stable can crumble in an instant, for the simple reason that we are human.”
The number 50 holds special significance for Tadhg Beirne. Going forward, he is not likely to forget his fifty appearances for Ireland anytime soon. The reason it is deeply etched in his memory would be because it coincided with Ireland’s win against Scotland, successfully securing a second consecutive Six Nations championship title.