EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EUAN MURRAY
gives me the low-down on how I have
played after every match and is my
biggest critic. I’ve had a few
scrummaging sessions with him in the
kitchen over the years.”
How much of a benefit is it for you to
be playing with Northampton in the
Premiership?
“In the Premiership it is non-stop. There
is a new challenge every week and it is
probably the best club competition in the
world. In the front row the scrummaging
is never easy, it is really intense every
week. Every pack has a big strong front
five. Someone like Julian White is hard
work to face – he’s a world-class
scrummager but every team has got
one like him. It is good for Scotland that
so many of our players are playing in
England or in France. It has taken players
out of their comfort zone and has
brought out the best in us. At
Northampton we have got two coaches
(Jim Mallinder and Dorian West) who
have been around the block in rugby
terms and know what they are doing.
Some judges are ranking you up with
best tight-heads in the world. What’s
your take on their views?
“I don’t claim to be the best in the
world, that’s not for me to judge, but
I’m learning all the time. Last season I
was playing Division One rugby in
England, this year I’m packing down in a
game of 20 scrums against Leicester.
There is tough opposition in every game
in the Premiership, some of the best
players in the world are there now, there
is so much talent and as a prop you are
learning all the time. Someone like
Andrew Sheridan is strong and getting
stronger as the years go on.”
How much would it mean to get a place
on the Lions tour to South Africa?
“That is the long term goal. But rugby is
such a physical game you can pick up an
injury at any time so you can’t look too
far ahead. I remember watching the 1997
Lions on tape – my mum and dad didn’t
have Sky so a mate videoed them for me
– and seeing Scott Gibbs smashing into
everybody. That really gave me a taste
for it. All professional rugby players
eligible will want to have a chance of
going on that Lions tour. It’s the top of
rugby in Britain and Ireland.”
You are a qualified vet. There aren’t
many of them in rugby these days
are there?
“I never practised, though. I went
straight from vet school into professional
rugby, but I did do one day a week hands-on experience in the first year, so I’ve
been out with a vet a couple of times. It
was good fun. I was just holding cows
down, stuff like that; a bit of extra
training for the rugby field!”
You are very public about your
Christianity. How important is it to
you and how has it helped you cope
with setbacks such as your
head injury?
“I didn’t have any reservations (about
revealing it). I’m not worried about what
people think of me as a result; I didn’t
keep quiet about it with my friends or
anyone else. It’s the most important
thing in my life, so why not tell people?
Christ has helped me. My head injury was
potentially very serious. I realised I had
been close to death and it made me stop
and reassess life and reassess rugby.
Christ is now the most important thing
in my life.” n
MURRAY FACTS
07/08/1980
25
TRIES:
2
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
DATE OF BIRTH:
we’ve got a year’s more experience under
our belt now so we are quietly hopeful.
There’s a lot of self-belief in the squad
and now it’s time to do a job. We are
definitely going in the right direction.”
Any Scottish youngsters we should
keep an eye out for this year?
“John Barclay from Glasgow – he’s a very
good number seven. He’s got a very high
work rate and makes a stack of tackles.
He’s one to watch in the Six Nations.”
Who was the biggest influence on
your career?
“Undoubtedly my dad, Alistair. He played
prop himself and took me to the training
and matches when I was a boy. He still
CLUB:
SCOTLAND APPEARANCES:
Murray has
made a name
for himself as
one of the best
scrummagers
around
42 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES