THE HERALD REVEALS

Alasdair Reid and Kevin Ferrie

Euan Murray, capped 35 times by Scotland, has left Northampton Saints.

A brief statement released by the English club last night confirmed that the 30-year-old prop, who joined the club from Glasgow Warriors after the 2007 World Cup, had left “by mutual consent” and “with immediate effect”.

Sean Lineen, the Glasgow coach, dismissed any prospect of bringing the player back, despite being critical of his side’s scrummaging against Toulouse last night. “Obviously I would be interested in bringing Euan back – everyone will be interested because he’s such a quality player – but we’ve not got two pennies to rub together,” said Lineen. “Our scrum killed us,” he said of the defeat by Toulouse, “but we are going to have to work with the players we’ve got.”

Murray, who started all three of Scotland’s Tests last month, is unlikely to be short of suitors as tight-head props of his calibre can virtually name their price but, as he seeks a new club, money will take second place to assurances that he will not be asked to compromise his religious beliefs.

A year ago, Herald Sport revealed that Murray had decided he would no longer play on Sundays, a decision that ruled him out of Scotland’s opening RBS Six Nations match against France earlier this year. Northampton’s schedule last season posed few problems in that regard, but a spate of Sunday fixtures this season has restricted his playing opportunities of late.

While a move back to Scotland would appear to have some attractions – Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors prefer to play their fixtures on Friday evenings – the indications last night were that Murray is not attracted by that option.

It is understood that the Scottish Rugby Union had been forewarned of his imminent departure from Northampton, and that provisional arrangements have been made to ensure that he is given opportunities to train ahead of the forthcoming RBS Six Nations championship.

Murray’s season started badly when Northampton opened their Aviva Premiership campaign with a Sunday game against Leicester Tigers. Brian Mujati, the South Africa prop, took Murray’s place, and has established himself as first choice at tight-head.

Murray has played in just five of Northampton’s competitive matches this season, while starting only one. He last played for the club against Newcastle in October, and had not been selected for their Heineken Cup tie against Cardiff today. His faith also meant he would not be able to take part in either of their next two matches: the return game with Cardiff and against Gloucester on Boxing Day.

“Euan is a big personality and has helped the club become competitive again at the top end of the Premiership and in Europe,” said Jim Mallinder, Northampton’s director of rugby. “He has played well for us.”

Murray re-signed for Northampton at the start of last season, and it is believed his new contract was negotiated on the basis that he would not be required to play on the Sabbath. France, where tighthead props are in high demand, may be the most accommodating destination for the player, as Sunday games are now rare in the Top 14 (French championship).

There is also bound to be speculation that Murray’s next club could be Gloucester, as the West Country side has a historic preference for Saturday games.

If he does head for Kingsholm, he would be in familiar company as fellow Scots Alasdair Dickinson and Scott Lawson are already regulars in the Gloucester front row.

This article was originally posted on 11-Dec-2010, 08:09 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 11-Dec-2010, 08:31.