Conor Murray: We want to put a show on for people
Conor Murray was named as the British and Irish Lions captain following the injury to Alun Wyn Jones
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Conor Murray says the British and Irish Lions want to entertain people and put smiles back on faces after a third Covid wave hit South Africa.
The Lions touched down in Johannesburg on Sunday after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country would be moving into level four of restrictions with alcohol sales and public gatherings are banned.
"We're very aware of what's going on outside with the lockdown, but we're here to hopefully put a smile on people's faces both here in South Africa and back at home," said Murray, who was named Lions captain after Alun Wyn Jones was injured in the first game of the tour against Japan.
"We're very lucky to be able to do what we are doing and we are very focused on putting on a show for people to get behind and support us.
“Since we've been here, when the bus stops at traffic lights, we've had people beeping, waving and smiling at us. There's a good buzz around us being here. We're very aware of the situation outside the hotel.
"We literally go from the hotel to the training ground so we're very much restricted in our movements. But it's a live document and things can change quickly. The seriousness of why we're here is taking over and there is an edge to training. The battle for a match day place is really up and running.
"You can see it already in people's body language, the way people are even preparing in the gym before we go out onto the pitch. They're in their own zone. Once we get on that training pitch, no-one holds back.”
That intensity is what Murray is aiming to harness. After taking over the captaincy, there have been suggestions that the scrum-half will now be a nailed on starter for the Lions' first Test against the Springboks on July 24th, but the Ireland international admits he cannot rest of his laurels.
“I don't for a second think it's a given,” said Murray. “Playing in the Test matches is what it's all about. That's what we're all trying to do. If anything, you want to be at the top of your game and playing as well as you can possibly play.
“Al [Wyn Jones] just told me on Sunday morning to be myself. He gave me a pat on my shoulder and said that he has complete faith in me. He has already set the tone for the mission here. It has been a crazy few days and there was lingering sadness on Saturday. It has taken a few days to sink in, but I don’t see it as putting extra pressure on me.
"Once Warren [Gatland] said I would be captain, everyone came up and said 'congrats' - and you could tell that they meant it so it's great to have the support of your fellow players and I think that is the most important thing.
"If you over think it, it’ll start to bother you a lot. It’s top of my list that I don’t try to change. It is a clean sheet and it is the way I do it now.”
Whilst the Lions continue their preparations, South Africa have named their side to face Georgia on Friday, which will be the first fixture for the Springboks since they became world champions.
Siya Kolisi will lead a team that contains 18 World Cup winners and Murray admits the Lions will be tuning in.
"We'll sit down and watch it and there'll be big interest in that. There's a feeling since we landed here in South Africa that it's time for the serious stuff so it'll all kick-off now."
'Tasty' scrums setting the tone for George
If Murray is relishing the battle for the No.9 shirt with Ali Price and Gareth Davies, the same can be said up front with Jamie George describing the early scrums sessions as "tasty."
After winning an immediate promotion back to the Gallagher Premiership with Saracens, George is just one of the options Gatland will be able to choose from for the Lions' first game in South Africa against the provincial side - the Lions - on Saturday.
George, who played in all three Tests against New Zealand in 2017, is keen to replicate that stat this summer: “The scrum sessions so far have been pretty tasty, I have to say," he said.
"Competition for places is great and Tadhg is really putting his hand up, I thought he had a great game against Japan. I had a great relationship with him in 2017 and we’ve picked up where we left off. He’s probably one of the best tight heads in the world. We’re blessed in this team, you had Andrew Porter going out [injured] and someone of the calibre of Kyle Sinckler coming in."
After facing the Springboks in a gruelling World Cup final two years ago, George knows how important the set-piece will be if the Lions are going to have a successful series: “Any time you come up against South Africa the set-piece is going to be absolutely huge.
“It’s going to be a big focus for us. It’s something that we as Lions need to pride ourselves on, to get this team on the front foot."
