Tigers’ top try-scorer in 2008/09 with 11, including a Heineken Cup hat-trick in Treviso, Irishman Johne Murphy has made 28 appearances for the club in each of the last two seasons.
Called up by Ireland A for the 2007 Churchill Cup, he missed the following year’s tournament with a knee injury but was recalled for the 2009 tournament in Colorado and scored a try in the final win over England Saxons.
Her also represented Ireland A on Welford Road soil for the match against England Saxons in February 2008 and ended the 2007/08 by being voted Tigers Supporters’ Player of the Year.
Educated at the same school in Naas as namesake Geordan Murphy, Johne moved to Tigers via the Cill Dara and Landsdowne clubs on a loan spell in 2005/06 but ended that season on the sidelines following major knee surgery. He broke into the first-team ranks in 2006/07, making his debut in the Guinness Premiership victory away at Harlequins in September and totaling 19 appearances.
As well as scoring a try on his Guinness A league debut, Johne also scored two tries in his first three senior matches, against Newport Gwent Dragons and Worcester Warriors in the EDF Energy Cup. He showed his adaptability too by kicking his first penalties and a conversion for the club in the Guinness Premiership win at Bristol on the opening day of 2007/08.