Warren Gatland’s update on Conor Murray is not what we were expecting

Warren Gatland is hoping Conor Murray can get a game for Munster before the season is out.

The Irish scrumhalf hasn't played since the Six Nations loss to Wales in March but, with just one game left of the regular Pro 12 campaign, he could make an appearance that will boost both the province and the Lions. Munster have at least two games remaining, the first of which takes place this weekend:

• Connacht (Saturday 6 May, Thomond Park)
• Pro 12 semi-final (Saturday 20 May, Thomond Park)

And, with the British and Irish Lions taking off for New Zealand in June, some minutes would be damn valuable for Murray who'll also want to get back and help the Munster cause. But Warren Gatland is hopeful.

"Conor Murray, the prognosis with him looks pretty positive in terms of hopefully getting back and getting a game for Munster," the Lions head coach told Sky Sports News. "That will be good for him over the next few weeks if he can get a game."

Rassie Erasmus already suggested that Murray could still potentially be available for the clash with Connacht although it's believed that the game might just come too soon. Elsewhere, Lions captain Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones are also in a race against time but they're coming along as well as Murray.

"I spoke to Sam yesterday and he feels that he could play now, and so he has made some really good progress and is really happy with how he has responded to treatment over the last few weeks," Gatland confirmed. "I expect him to play before he goes to New Zealand. "[Jones] is making good progress as well. [Lions assistant coach] Steve Borthwick went down and saw him last week and he's confident that he is going to be okay as well."

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