Conor Murray gives fitness update we all wanted to hear

He is ready and more than willing to go.

Conor Murray was up in Sandyford, Dublin this morning - for the Irish relaunch of MaxiMuscle - and he had some good news for Munster fans, and Lions supporters while he was at it.

Murray injured his arm in the Six Nations loss to Wales on March 10 and has not featured for province or country since. However, all that is about to change.

Declaring himself fit to face Connacht this Saturday, Murray is, however, more likely to line out next in the Guinness PRO12 semi-finals. He commented:

"I'm good. It has been a really frustrating six or seven weeks, with a set-back in the middle. Had I not had that set-back, I would have hoped to have been back a little sooner.

"But I'm good. I've trained fully with the squad and did contact a little earlier in the week. I did some one-on-one contact with the squad on Wednesday - made and took full-on tackles."

He added, "I'm fit to play rugby. Hopefully this weekend I will be involved, all going well. If I'm not, I'll have another week off, with the Champions Cup final... I'd bet a good bit I'd be involved in the [PRO12] semi, please God."

https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/859852054063456259

Initially diagnosed as a stinger injury, the scrum-half has been struggling, of late, to get any zip in his passing. As recently as April 22, he reckoned his arm was at '80 or 90%' in terms of power and range.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland spoke optimistically of Murray's chances of taking a full part in the upcoming tour to New Zealand but stressed that he must feature for Munster before the regular season is out.

*Murray was on hand to help relaunch MaxiMuscle in Ireland with their 'Home of Gains' campaign. Their new range of protein bars are designed for anyone looking to quickly increase their protein consumption.