Murphy's raw coaching skills continuing to prosper at Tigers

'Geordan Murphy acknowledges his coaching career remains in relative infancy' Photo: Getty

David Kelly

Pop quiz. Name the only unbeaten Irish head coach currently operating in European rugby.

The answer is Geordan Murphy but the question is slightly misleading. This season, the one-club man has been charged with assuming sole direct responsibility for Leicester's Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign.

The result? A perfect two from two, including a tight win in Bath and a romp at home to Dragons last month.

And yet the former Ireland full-back acknowledges his coaching career remains in relative infancy, even if he expresses mild irritation that even Uncle Tom Cobley is ahead of him in the betting to become the next Connacht head coach.

"I'm sure there is a list of better-qualified candidates but maybe I'll throw my cv in for the craic," he smiles. He will, of course, do no such thing; his heart remains firmly in the East Midlands as Leicester, once more, renew a storied rivalry with their old friends, and occasional foes, Munster.

These two spurred each other on more than a decade ago; while the rest of this country spat fury at Neil Back in 2002, Munster drew on the English side's will to win at all costs by forging their own irrepressible march to ultimate glory four years later; the 2003 quarter-final sacking of Welford Road a vital step on that journey.

Since Munster equalled Leicester's title haul in 2008, however, both have drawn blanks in Europe; it has been hit and miss in the pool stages, Leicester's 2009 defeat to Leinster the nearest either has come to reclaiming former eminence.

"In the last few years we have been good but not good enough," admits the club's record (25) European try-scorer, who works in tandem with Kiwi ex-team-mate Aaron Mauger as backs coach with the first team.

"It is unlikely we might get out if we lose this one but I think second-placed teams might come out on lesser points this season but winning in Limerick would remove a lot of that anxiety."

There will be an edge this Saturday as always but, with the death of Anthony Foley still felt keenly beyond these shores, the familial aspect of the rivalry will undoubtedly shine through.

"I really do think that, there is an affinity between the supporters because there have been huge games between the sides.

"Both supporters like travelling to each other, they are old school.

"We never had hassle from them even though there were always tough games. What happened on the field stayed on the field."

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill confirmed yesterday that influential prop Dan Cole will miss the game which may swing the scrum battle decisively in Munster's favour, although scrum-half Ben Youngs will return.

"Ben is full of the joys of life," Cockerill said. "But Dan got injured at the weekend. He has a nasty cut on his quad from a boot against Australia and that will make him unavailable for the Munster game."

Skipper Tom Youngs should return to the squad after recovering from the back problem that ruled him out of the derby win over Northampton Saints and there is a chance that Manu Tuilagi could start the game.

The Tigers centre has had two 20-minute run-outs in the last fortnight after missing two months with a groin injury.

"Manu is fine, there has been no reaction," Cockerill said.

"We will see how we get through this week but there is a chance he could start. If not, he is very close."

Back-row forward Tom Croft is also in contention after the bout of food poisoning which saw him miss the Saints clash, while Matt Smith is also fit after sustaining an ankle injury in the Anglo Welsh Cup victory at Bath.

Mike Williams continues to target the return game at Welford Road on Saturday week for his return from a broken arm.

Leicester's former Puma prop forward Marcos Ayerza, though, is still recovering from the calf injury he sustained against Harlequins.