Conor Murray's Ultimate XV - back row
- Published
Peter O'Mahony (blindside flanker)
Peter O'Mahony was another of Ireland's centurions of recent years, totalling 114 caps for his country, along with 197 appearances for Munster alongside Murray. His career also included captaining the Lions in their First Test defeat by the All Blacks in the summer of 2017.
"Peter is just one of those fellas, you have Paul O'Connell at number five and Peter at number six and you know, 'we're not going to get hurt today, we're not going to be outfought.'.
"I played with Pete the whole way through right up until we retired and sometimes I don't think he gets the credit he deserves for being such a great rugby player, that his ability isn't fully recognised, because he is such a good leader.
"Pete was a world-class rugby player who had unbelievably high standards."
Sam Warburton (openside flanker)
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton was part of the Lions touring squads of which Murray was also a member in 2013 and 2017.
He edges out the likes of Sean O'Brien and Josh van der Flier to secure a place in the XV.
"Sam captained two Lions tours. As regards his ability over the ball, Sam was the best in the world for a period of time.
"He probably retired a bit early but what he did in that window was incredibly impressive.
"He was a Lions captain with Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in that squad in 2013, really daunting.
"He managed to do that and win a series. For what Sam did over a long period of years he deserves to be in there."
Taulupe Faletau (number eight)
Taulupe Faletau played with Murray on three Lions tours, in 2013, 2017 and 2021, and was a mainstay of the successes enjoyed by the Welsh side under Warren Gatland over many years.
He saw off the challenge of the likes of Ireland trio Jamie Heaslip, CJ Stander and Jack Conan to be named in the side.
"I played with Taulupe a lot on those three Lions tours and he's a game-changer, a number eight with X-factor.
"A freakish athlete, a really smart player who comes into the same bracket as Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, having the ability to play smart with a bit of flair and pick the right option.
"He has come up with big moments for Wales for years, and for the Lions. He's an absolute gent to play against too.
"A killer of a player but always really humble, a real sincere guy."