Omitted Murphy quits Ireland

Geordan Murphy has confirmed that he played his final game for Ireland in the 2011 World Cup game against Russia.

The 34-year-old Leicester Tigers captain, who has been capped 72 times by his country and also won two caps with the British and Irish Lions in 2005 in a 12-year international career, revealed the news after being overlooked for the upcoming tour to New Zealand. Ireland coach Declan Kidney named an initial 29-man squad for the tour with three places - two in the forwards and one in the backs - to be revealed closer to the tour to the southern hemisphere and full-back Murphy was not included. As a result, he told the Leicester Mercury: "I am not in and you know when it's time to hang up your boots at any level. "I have had some tremendous memories with the squad but it is time for some young lads to come in and prepare for the next World Cup. "I haven't spoken to him (Declan) about it, but I am going to give him a shout. That's it."