Rugby World Cup
Murphy makes successful comeback
ESPNscrum Staff
August 9, 2011
Ireland skipper Geordan Murphy takes on the Maori defence, New Zealand Maori v Ireland, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, New Zealand, June 18, 2010
Geordan Murphy made his comeback for Leicester on Monday © Getty Images
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Ireland fullback Geordan Murphy made his long-awaited comeback from a serious ankle injury in Leicester's pre-season loss to Montpellier on Monday.

The 33-year-old, who had been training with the national squad prior to the Rugby World Cup, got through 50 minutes of the 50-24 defeat in Millau, having been overlooked for a place in the matchday 22 for Ireland's warm-up loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.

Murphy will now hope to stake his claim for a berth on the plane to New Zealand, with Ireland facing back-to-back warm-up clashes against France and a one-off Test with England before their Rugby World Cup campaign gets underway against the USA on September 11.

Former England midfielder Mathew Tait also made his playing comeback in the match - having made the summer switch to the Tigers from Sale Sharks.

"Geordy had 50 minutes for the first time in several months and so did Mathew Tait," Tigers boss Richard Cockerill said. "These guys have had long injuries so it is good to get them back on the pitch."

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