Ireland talk up Pollard and Hougaard

 

Talking from the Irish camp, where it was revealed  his own halfback partner Johnny Sexton should be fit to play, Murray revealed that the Irish had been doing their homework on the Bok players.

 

The introduction of guys like the young prodigy that is Pollard and the nippy Hougaard to the South African team has made the Irish sit up in their seats.

 

"The Springboks have improved over the last year definitely," the scrumhalf said.

 

"Along with the traditional strengths of the South African team, big strong physical men, really powerful up front, I think they are a lot more expansive – especially with Pollard at No.10."

 

Murray expects the Springboks to run with the ball game far more than they used to and the Munster man expects the Boks to come at them with some depth.

 

"I think they are more willing to run from deep and have a higher likelihood to try high-risk plays," he added.

 

"It brings another edge to their game and they are a better team than when we played them a couple of years ago."

 

Murray, along with his Irish team mates, clearly had one eye on the recent Rugby Championship where the Springboks were able to topple the mighty All Blacks and put an end to their record winning streak.

 

"During the Rugby Championship they definitely impressed, we have done a lot of work looking at their players and their strengths so that is our focus.

 

"These three weeks ahead this is a huge game for us starting off, so that is where our focus is for the moment."

 

Another player that has impressed Murray, or at least garnered some attention, is his opposite number Hougaard, who is inline to start against Ireland should Ruan Pienaar not be passed fit.

 

"Hougaard has played quite a bit at No.9 and he is an explosive players, he played on the wing against us a couple of years ago because he has got that natural speed," he continued.

 

"He ran the lads [the Springboks] quite well over the Championship and when he did get his chance I think he took it.

 

"He is a dangerous runner, he brings forwards into play nicely off him and he is a constant threat himself.