Conor Murray's Ultimate XV - front row

Conor reveals his Ultimate XV — the dream team of players he's shared the pitch with for Munster, Ireland, or the British & Irish Lions. Listen now.

Cian Healy (loose-head prop)

Murray played many times with loose-head prop Cian Healy for Ireland, the Leinster prop accumulating 137 international caps.

"It has to be Cian Healy because he changed the game for props, from what was expected.

"For his playing ability and longevity. Even his physique. He was 120 kilos but moved like a centre in his prime.

"He had his injury struggles towards the end of his career and fought back from proper tough places."

Rory Best (hooker)

Murray and hooker Rory Best were long-time Ireland teammates and were both part of the British and Irish Lions tours to Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017. The Ulster hooker was capped 124 times by Ireland.

"Rory has to be in there because of how long I played with him and what he did over a long period of time. He was a really intelligent rugby player.

"Everyone knows his leadership qualities and what a teammate he was to everyone, how comfortable he made people feel, which is really important.

"It was his ability as a rugby player, the unglamorous stuff - the breakdown work or scrummaging, stuff that would probably go unnoticed by many people but are integral to a strong team - set-pieces that work really efficiently.

"He had an unbelievable career with Ireland, and multiple Lions tours thrown in there too."

England Lions Tom Youngs and Jamie George received honourable mentions from Murray, along with Ireland's Dan Sheehan.

Tadhg Furlong (loose-head prop)

Tadhg Furlong played regularly with Murray as part of the Ireland squad and both were part of Warren Gatland's Lions touring party in 2017 and 2021.

"Tadhg Furlong is world class. I've played loads of rugby with him and know him really well. He's a proper cornerstone of the Irish team.

"I've seen him since he came into the Ireland camp and just grow into this leader.

"He's a fella that when he speaks, everyone listens to him. He says what he's thinking and he's really smart about how he says it. That's his leadership.

"As a player he's kind of changed the game as well in terms of how props and front rows play - like the little tiny passes they do, he's got those soft skills. He's always an example of how to do things well in the video reviews.