Irish Rugby
Murphy calls time on Test career
ESPN Staff
May 23, 2012
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 will no longer pull on the green of Ireland © Getty Images
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Leicester Tigers skipper Geordan Murphy has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Murphy was omitted from Declan Kidney's 29-man squad for the Ireland tour to New Zealand in June and despite there still being a vacant spot in the backs, Murphy has opted to rule himself out of the reckoning.

The decision sees Murphy end his 12-year career with Ireland with 72 caps to his name and two Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions. His last appearance for Ireland was during the 2011 World Cup against Russia. Murphy will now turn his full focus to Saturday's Aviva Premiership final but will first of all have to phone Kidney to inform him of his decision.

"I am not in [the squad] and you know when it's time to hang up your boots at any level," Murphy told the Leicester Mercury ."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."

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