Conor Murray: It's so exciting where this group could head

While Conor Murray insists he has no plans to retire any time soon, his growing years are making him cherish these days a little bit more.

The scrum-half is the second oldest and second most experienced player in the Irish ranks for this Guinness Six Nations. With 113 caps and 13 campaigns to his name, only Cian Healy can point to more experience in Test rugby out of Andy Farrell's current squad.

His role with Ireland has changed in recent years. For close to 10 years he was first choice scrum-half with Ireland, and a veteran of three Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Jamison Gibson-Park has since taken his place as the starting 9 with Ireland, while he's vying back and forth with Craig Casey for the bench spot in Farrell's set-up.

With Munster, Casey appears to have edged ahead of him in the eyes of Graham Rowntree, starting in three of their four Champions Cup outings.

It can be a delicate time for a senior player in that scenario. Egos have to be parked in the name of the collective goal.

"We're all vying to play and competing to play and that doesn't take anything anyway from your competitiveness as a senior player in the group," said the 34-year-old.

"I think you just have a natural responsibility, club or country, of helping out younger lads or sharing your opinion on things on and off the pitch, or you see lads off the pitch who might be new lads into the group, just making sure they're comfortable.

"But I think it just comes with the territory naturally of being a senior player.

"We're three or four deep in every position and anyone who steps in can absolutely perform and do a job, so it's making sure you're ready to take your chance if it arises."

Murray, who turns 35 in April, says while he may not be on the pitch as