Conor Murray's Ultimate XV - second row
- Published
Tadhg Beirne (second row)
Tadhg Beirne is another who has been part of a British and Irish Lions squad with Murray, also turning out for the ex-scrum-half with Ireland and Munster.
"Tadhg Beirne offers that physicality at the breakdown and plays those passes which suit the modern way of playing the game.
"I'd say if you ask Andy Farrell which two forwards he just could not do without, it would be the two Tadhgs - Furlong and Beirne.
"He's always had an ability to turn over ball and has carved out an unbelievable career.
"Tadhg is one of the best players in the world and has been over the past three years."
England's Maro Itoje, Lions captain for the 2025 tour to Australia, is among those who was also considered by Murray.
Paul O'Connell (second row)
Paul O'Connell, a legendary figure in Irish rugby, played with Murray at Munster, with Ireland and as part of the British and Irish Lions squad which toured Australia in 2013.
"A legend, an icon of the game and an incredible leader. A fella you just want to go to war with and he would go to war with you.
"He drove standards at Ireland, Munster, Lions, for so so long. Just a proper competitor and leader who wanted to win all the time and would do anything to win.
"He brought all of us up, Peter O'Mahony and me and many others - with that kind of mindset - this is good enough, this isn't good enough - a proper trendsetter."