Wales ace tipped as British and Irish Lions bolter after breakthrough season
Blair Murray in action for Wales in the 2025 Six Nations
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has tipped star back Blair Murray as a possible British and Irish Lions bolter, saying he “couldn’t have done much more” to get himself on the plane.
Murray’s performances at full-back were a bright spark in Wales’ woeful Six Nations campaign, and he was touted for a spot in Andy Farrell’s squad by two-time captain Sam Warburton.
Blair Murray backed for Lions squad
Full-back is one of Farrell’s problem areas right now, with locked-in starter Blair Kinghorn an injury concern after coming off early in Toulouse’s Top 14 win over Castres two weeks ago. But the former Welsh international believes his man could be a great option to go on the tour.
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“He couldn’t have done much more,” he said. “Who knows what Andy and the coaches are thinking, but from my perspective, it would be amazing.
“He stood out in the Welsh team at full-back, and I thought he was good last week (in the Scarlets’ win over Leinster). He offers a bit of flexibility in terms of playing wing and full-back as well.”
Murray has really taken to life in Wales since the move from his native New Zealand this season. After some impressive performances for the Scarlets, he was swiftly drafted into the Wales squad by then-head coach Warren Gatland, and made his Test debut against Fiji.
Two more appearances against Australia and South Africa followed in the autumn, and he retained his place in the Six Nations too, starting four of Wales’ five games at full-back.
He has also developed a lovely scoring touch this season too, with six tries in his 11 outings for the Scarlets and two tries for Wales.
Peel added: “If he’s fortunate enough to get in it will be brilliant for himself and also the region.”
The Welsh side will be in South Africa when the squad is announced, as they prepare to face the Lions and the Sharks in their final two URC matches, but that won’t stop them watching the announcement.
“I’m sure we’ll be glued to the TV when we get to Johannesburg!” Peel said.
Farrell is set to announce his touring party this Thursday live at the O2 Arena in London.
READ MORE: British and Irish Lions squad announcement: How to watch, what time, TV channel and live stream
