Conor Murray: French giants weigh up shock move for Ireland star

Racing 92 are considering a shock move for veteran former Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on Sunday.

Murray, who called time on his 125-cap Ireland career after the Six Nations win over Italy, has announced that he will leave Munster when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

He is keen to play on for at least another season and doesn’t currently have any offers on the table from the Japan Rugby League, the Premiership, the URC, or even France.

But that could be about to change, as Racing are looking to sign at least two more scrum-halves for next season, and Murray is one of the players they are considering.

Nolann Le Garrec is heading to Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle at the end of the season, while Clovis Le Bail, who has started their last three games, is going to join Toulon.

Racing have Leo Carbonneau arriving from Brive but want more experience and are looking at either Wallaby star Jake Gordon, who has been linked with a move to Exeter Chiefs, or Murray.

Gordon is out of contract with Rugby Australia at the end of the year and is also a target for La Rochelle, who are set to lose Tawera Kerr-Barlow to Stade Francais when his current deal runs out.

Racing are believed to have been urged to look at Murray by Owen Farrell, who was a team-mate on three Lions tours and is understood to have struck up a close friendship with the Irish star.

Murray, who was educated at St Munchin’s College, recently made his 200th appearance for Munster in their URC clash with Connacht and told the Irish Times that he has lived the dream.

“One of my good mates said, ‘You lived the dream’, and I really have. I feel really proud that I’ve been part of this team over the years and the coaches and the success we’ve had. I had the best days of my life in a green jersey.

“With Munster too, it’s my home province, and we’ve battled, and we’ve gotten close a few times. That will be something we might not do, you never know this year, but so far, we haven’t done the European triumph, which is something I grew up wanting to do.”