Ireland’s Barcelona-bred Jordi Murphy eager to make impact at Rugby World Cup

A Barcelona born Lionel Messi fan who speaks fluent Spanish, Jordi Murphy nonetheless could be close to making his sporting mark in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals as an Ireland flanker.

Ireland's Jordi Murphy gives a press conference in Cardiff on Wednesday ahead of the quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday. Loic Venance / AFP / October 14, 2015

Avid Barcelona fan Jordi Murphy is hoping to bury his frustration at being training ground cannon fodder with a place in Ireland's match-day 23 for Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday.

Murphy, born in Barcelona to Irish parents and named after Catalonia’s patron saint St Jordi, has spent the last two weeks pretending to be French or Italian backrows in opposition to the starting Ireland XV.

“It has been tough,” the 24-year-old said.

“Obviously it’s disappointing when they name the team and you’re not in it.

“My main goal was to get to the World Cup and to play as well, but it’s one of those things you have to take on the chin.

“You have to put your disappointment and frustration aside and work on for the collective.”

With Sean O’Brien picking up a one-week ban for striking Pascal Pape in Ireland’s brutal 24-9 victory over France in their final pool game, a window of hope has been left ajar for the Leinster flanker.

“Hopefully, we’ll have to wait and see obviously, but if I get a chance I’ll take it with both hands,” vowed Murphy, who started for Ireland in their 44-10 pool victory over Romania.

“It’s been exciting being involved and everything and that game against Romania was great but there’s also a bit of a tough side to it as well, training away and not getting as many games on the weekend.

“But it’s been said and I’ll back it up, it’s been a big squad effort. If I get the nod this weekend I hope it’ll be the same.”

Murphy added: “I felt like I played alright (against Romania), but obviously the coaches went with a different team the week after so I had to take that and support the lads.

“The coaches are always great for communicating to get their message over.”

Murphy left Barcelona to return to Ireland just before he turned nine years old, but he said he often went back to take in his beloved Barcelona on the football pitch.

“I was born in Barcelona in 1991. My parents lived and worked there. I spent just over eight years there and all my memories are good,” Murphy told AFP in fluent Spanish.

“Spanish was my first language. I’ve since forgotten some words because I don’t use it much. But my two first years back in Ireland, my sister and I spoke Spanish between ourselves.

“I go to Barcelona once or twice a year. I like going to one or two games a year.

“The last time I went to Camp Nou was with my girlfriend and the next time will be with friends.”

As for his favourite player, Murphy was adamant.

“It has to be Lionel Messi,” he said. “He’s phenomenal, he’s been incredible over recent years with Barca, it has to be him.

“I also like Andres Iniesta as well. He’s scored some very important goals for Barcelona and Spain as well.”

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