Leicester Sign Another Murphy

Johnny Murphy in action against Buccaneers last season

Ireland international Geordan Murphy is no longer the one and only “Murphy” at Leicester Tigers as young Lansdowne utility back Johnny Murphy has signed for the English club.

And it is not just in name that there are similarities between the Irish pair – 20-year-old Murphy, a UCD student, attended Newbridge College just as the Lions full-back did in his formative years.

Tigers’ rugby development co-ordinator Dusty Hare told the club’s website: “Looking at Johnny, he reminds one of a young Geordan Murphy. They have very similar mannerisms on the pitch and his timing into the backline is very similar to Geordan’s.

“Johnny’s here to compete for a first team place, which is a great incentive for him, and the way he played at Newcastle we wouldn’t be frightened to play him.”

Full-back/winger Murphy, who scored three tries in 19 AIB League appearances for Lansdowne, was on a two week trial at Tigers last month – making three appearances for Leicester in the Guinness ‘A’ League and the 6ft 1in speedster, nicknamed “Vegas”, even managed to bag a debut try against Newcastle and one against Sale Jets on Monday night.

Murphy said of his move: “It’s a huge opportunity for me as a young player – I was given a chance and I’m very lucky that I took it. When Geordan showed me around the club, soon after my arrival, I knew I wanted to stay here for at least the next 10 years – once you’re here you just don’t want to leave!

“I played in a friendly game against Leicester’s Academy last season, and the club asked for some tapes of me afterwards via Geordan,” added the Naas man.