Geordan Murphy Ireland full-back/wing

Geordan Murphy was originally on the bench but now finds himself starting on the left wing when Ireland play France in the historic Six Nations game at Croke Park on Sunday.

He took time out from training to answer some of the many e-mails you sent in.

Geordie, you seem to be getting a bit of a rough ride from the Irish selectors over the past few years, do you think the fact that you are playing out of the country has any bearing on this?
Tom Clancy,

Hi Tom. I don't honestly know to be honest. It has been suggested to me in the past, but people high up in the IRFU said that it is definitely not the case. It's a case that if you don't get selected you just have to take it. There's not much I can do about it. I will just keep on playing to the best of my ability.

As a member of the Tigers side that recently gave Munster a good drubbing - do you not find it hard, walking into an Irish dressing room that contains about half of the Munster squad or is that all left at the door.
Gavin

For a while it was a bit rewarding and there was some real craic. But a couple of days afterwards, it was all forgotten, it's all in the past now. I'm not the type fo rub it in. Yahoo!

There is a lot of chat about on various websites regarding Ireland's work at the breakdown. Suggestions that a few yellow cards would have been welcomed. Would you be concerned that the next ref might be go to the extreme and dish them out based on pre-match pressure?
Suzanne Eade

I would be a little concerned, naturally, especially what was said in the press. But there is not much we can do about it. Wales were pretty disappointed, but I don't think we did anything illegal. It wasn't that we consciously said we would go out and cheat.

What is the mood in the camp ahead of the game against the French and are the players feeling much pressure about playing for the first time in Croker (Croke Park)?
Noel Slattery

I don't think we are under pressure. Everyone is looking forward to playing at Croker. That's probably because we are playing against one of the best teams in the world. France are really on form at the minute and it's a big game for us.

I would really like my son to start playing rugby, he is six at the moment. What is the best age to start playing?
Joanna Doran

Good on you Joanna. You can start playing at any age really. I know young ones who are playing for the age of four upwards. They start off by playing in the back garden by catching, kicking and passing. Moving on, if there is a club with a good coaching structure and qualified people to look after them, and they are not getting fired into a too-competitive environment, then any age.

I didn't start playing competitive rugby until I was 13 as I was involved in football and gaelic. But when he wants to play, let him.

Would you ever consider playing Super 14 rugby?
Jonny

I would love to Jonny. I have watched it on television and it is a very fast brand of rugby. The only drawback is that you would be away from family and friends and it is a very big commitment on your own. It is one of things I'm not too sure if I would be able to do it. But it is one thing that I would have liked to have done.

Following the first weekend of games, who do you see as the main threats to Ireland?
Jimmy Breen

Obviously France and England, who both looked in pretty good form. Before even the competition started, I had tipped England to be a force, and I don't think I will be wrong. If they get another win this week, they wil be full of confidence. The French are also very strong and will get stronger.

Who do you see as being the main threats in the France team for Sunday? Do you agree with France's policy of rotating players irrespective of performance?
Frederic Chen

Rotating their squad is they way they work at present. It goes to show that they have a lot of strength in depth, and that's the way they are operating in World Cup year so that they can give players a little rest.

They are a real strong squad, and there are threats all over the place. They are particularly strong in the back-row and they have some unbelievable backs with Jauzion in particularly a class act.

Well done on winning a tough game in Cardiff. How can we stop France playing in Croke Park?
David

Thanks David. It is going to be very difficult to stop France playing. They can attack you from anywhere on the park. It is just up to us to bring our best game to Croker, and hope that they have an off day. But basically we will have to match them up front and be very precise in everything we do.

Throughout your international and club career you have played in a number of positions but which would you consider to be your best position?
Dave

Full-back.

Starting on the bench, where you can be called upon at a moment's notice, how do you warm up and prepare for entry into the game? The manner that you came on for Dennis Hickie (against Wales) and looked straight up to game speed with some beautiful attacking play, was very impressive.
Barry Hand

If there are no injuries in the game, the staff would get us to warm up every 10 minutes or so so that we can keep warm to come off the bench which I have little experience of! If someone does get injured, as was the case with Denis, you would go for a couple of sprints after an initial short warm-up and get yourself ready to come on.

When you're playing on Sunday (such as last week) do you and the rest of the team sit down to watch the other Six Nations games?
Andrew

Not always, but mostly the other guys would watch the games. It is sometimes helpful as we would obviously watch the game on video anyway, so we might as well get a bit of a start. Basically you are not doing much on a Saturday afternoon anyway if you have a game the next day.

Many pundits were critical of the Irish front row prior to the Welsh game. Do you agree that they were proved wrong? By the way your own contribution was excellent.
Sam Gibson

Cheers Sam. I think our boys had a very strong game against the Welsh. It's is going to be another big test for us on Sunday. We will know a lot more then.

If you would like to ask Geordan a question during the course of the Six Nations, fill in the form at the top right of this page.