Isa Nacewa has said that it was only fitting that Leinster let outgoing number eight Jordi Murphy lift the Champions Cup trophy.
Murphy will be leaving Leinster next season after seven years with the province’s senior squad. He will move north to join Ulster after signing a two-year deal with the province last December.
Nacewa hinted that Murphy might be back at Leinster in the near future and that Saturday’s win was a fitting farewell for the backrower.
“Jordi is a great guy and he plays with his heart on his sleeve and just gives it his all,” said Nacewa.
“It was pretty fitting for him to have an outstanding campaign and it’s just good that he lifts the trophy. He was in the centre of it all; in the mix of things; throughout the whole campaign.
“It was a good way to sign off his European honours with Leinster but maybe we’ll see him back one day.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BisArfOHVP5/?hl=en&taken-by=jordimurphy
Murphy said last year that it was a hard decision to leave his native province but that he will move to Ulster with a view of challenging more regularly for a spot in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad.
“It’s been an incredibly hard decision to leave Leinster, where I have made some great friends and enjoyed some fantastic times, but I am excited by the prospect of moving north and linking up with some familiar faces.
“Having considered my options at length, I realise that this represents a great opportunity for me to challenge for a position at Ulster and hopefully become a more regular feature in the national set-up.
“Ulster is building a strong squad for next season and I’m really looking forward to the new challenge. However, I am fully focused on contributing as best I can for Leinster for the remainder of the current campaign.”
