Gatland says that Conor Murray could be a doubt for the Lions tour

Conor Murray had to leave the field against Wales in the Six Nations because of a shoulder injury he got when Sam Warburton smashed into him in a collision. Hopes were that Murray would be fit to face England a week later but he did not recover in the week before the game and Connacht’s Kieran Marmion replaced the him for the final Six Nations game of the season.

Murray was then a late withdrawal ahead of Munster’s Champions Cup quarter-final with Toulouse, with Munster head coach Rassie Erasmus holding out hope that Murray’s shoulder would be recovered in time for Saturday’s semi-final with Saracens. Murray is a doubt for Saturdays game as he has not featured in any contact in training.

In a press conference after yesterdays squad announcement Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Murray will miss this weekend’s Champions Cup Semi-final against Saracens, because of nerve issue. Gatland said that Murray had seen a neurologist over a neck injury. Gatland also said that Murray would have to prove his fitness ahead of this summer’s Lions tour.

‘He’s got a nerve issue. I spoke to the doctor yesterday. He was hoping to be fit this week. He had a setback a couple of weeks ago. He’s going to need to play before he gets on the plane. That’s going to be important for us. I would be reluctant to take someone to New Zealand with a neck injury who hasn’t played. His last game was against Wales, on March 10’.

‘He’s incredibly fit. It’s causing him a bit of discomfort and a bit of weakness in his arm, and hopefully he’s going to be right in a couple of weeks – the neurologist is confident he’s going to be OK’.

We hope that Murray will recovers well, because if injury free we know that he will be a stand out player in the tour.