Did you hear the story about an Irishman being coached by a South African, looking to impress a Scotsman in order to beat some other South Africans? It sounds contrived, doesn't it? Well, not quite, especially if your name is Geordan Murphy.

You see, the ultra-talented Ireland fullback will this year be playing his club rugby under the watchful eye of former Bulls supremo Heyneke Meyer at Leicester Tigers.

South African Meyer, who was controversially overlooked for the Springbok coaching job earlier this year, will attempt to revive the Tigers' fortunes this season, with Murphy — he of those dazzling running lines and penchant to do the unexpected — no doubt playing a leading role.

Then, when his duties are done with Leicester, Murphy — as he did in 2005 — will be hoping to join forces with British & Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan (he of Scottish heritage) as the famous touring side come hunting a Springbok scalp in June 2009.

First things first, however, warns Murphy, who shifts the attention back to his club, Leicester Tigers.

"For some clubs getting into two finals in a season would've been a great result," he tells sport.iafrica.com. "But not for Leicester Tigers."

He continues: "You know, we didn't play great rugby last season, yet we still made both finals. I know we lost (both of) them, but there's something to be said for our determination as a club to achieve something against the odds. There are plenty of positives to be taken from that alone, but believe me, we won't be satisfied with similar results this season."

Speaking to Murphy, one gets the feeling, however, that things will be different under Meyer, with the star No.15 saying: "He's (Meyer) really impressed us all since arriving at Leicester.

"Not only is he saying the right stuff, but you can see that he means it. He wants to the club to do well and he has the knowledge and expertise to do just that."

Trophies, of course, are what will define Meyer and the club in 2008/09 and it wouldn't do Murphy and his teammates any harm when it comes to Lions selection either.

"You never want to look too far ahead," admits the Irishman, who many will remember suffered a cruel broken leg shortly before the 2003 Rugby World Cup in a friendly against Scotland. "But, at the same time, it's hard to ignore the fact that there's a Lions tour at the end of the season. In fact, the season has been condensed to fit in the Lions tour, so most players would be aware of it."

Aware of the tour or not, the man to impress is London Wasps boss McGeechan, who will preside over yet another Lions tour, with Murphy saying of the coach: "He's a top rugby man, with plenty of Lions experience, and I obviously played under him in 2005, so I'd love to work with him again."

Things are not exactly too flash in world champion territory right now, with the Springboks heading for a Wooden Spoon finish in the Tri-Nations, after successive home losses to the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

"I've been trying to keep an eye on things in the Tri-Nations," admits Murphy, "but last week, for instance, we were busy at Tigers, so I wasn't able to watch the game. I did watch the SA-NZ game though. There's been some good rugby played, but it's been really interesting watching the southern hemisphere's version of the ELVs."

Oh yes, the Experimental Law Variations — the bane of rugby players across the world thus far. Or not?

"To be honest, I quite like the ELVs — even though I don't have much experience of playing under them. I like the 22 law for instance, but I am not a fan of the new ruck laws," says Murphy.

"It has the ability to make the game a bit looser, but in the north we're still playing to long-arm penalties, whereas in the south ruck infringements are simple short-arm penalties, which makes the game quicker."

Murphy, however, would like to see players and fans give the ELVs a fair chance, adding: "It's all about implementing the same laws across the rugby world, but it will take time.

"Some people say that rugby is too confusing to attract new fans, but to be honest, I love it the way it is. The danger of trying to make rugby too simple or changing it too much is that it could end up turning into a different game, and become more like rugby league for instance. Rugby is a unique game and I would hate to see it changing too much."

One change that Murphy will have to deal with, however, is a new Irish coaching staff, with long-time Munster boss Declan Kidney taking over from Eddie O'Sullivan as the new coach of Ireland after a disappointing World Cup campaign for the men from the Emerald Isle.

"The Irish team had a camp a few weeks ago, but I wasn't able to make it due to my committments with Leicester — it was our first camp under Heyneke and I couldn't miss it," says Murphy, a veteran of 58 Ireland caps.

"I guess it wasn't the best of starts for me under the new coach, but I am 100% behind playing for Ireland. I love it to bits, I'm a proud Irishman and there is no greater pride than pulling on that Irish jumper and belting out Ireland's Call before a match.

"I'd love to be involved under Declan, but I first need to make sure of my starting spot at Leicester, before being able to challenge for a place in the Ireland team."

Rugby-playing commitments aside, Geordan is also keeping an eye on the first-ever Rugby Expo — a unique global business-to-business rugby convention which will take place in London during the autumn internationals in November.

"It sounds really interesting," says Murphy, who got to know about the Rugby Expo through his agent. "It's a great idea to get rugby players and businessmen into the same room.

"For me, it's a perfect marriage, as it were, between rugby players and the business world. Remember, rugby is a professional sport, just like football and golf for instance, and a unique gathering like the Rugby Expo could open many doors for players in the business world in years to come."

  • Rugby Expo 2008 will take place on 16-18 November at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. For more information, visit www.rugbyexpo.com
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