Privacy.

It broke last week that Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray is currently suffering from an unknown injury problem that looks set to keep him out of action for a number of weeks.

Not much else was said about the injury, only that it’s “positive” and Munster are taking it “day by day”, with many speculating it’s a reoccurrence of the neck/shoulder ‘stinger’ problem he suffered with at the end of the 2016/17 season.

A timeline for his return has not been released, with some fearing he could miss the opening games of Munster’s European campaign, and even Ireland’s November international series. Munster have even brought in All Black scrumhalf Alby Mathewson on a four-month deal.

It’s probably frustrating as a Munster and Ireland not knowing exactly how long Murray is out, and what might be troubling him, but I think most people will agree – he is perfectly entitled to his privacy in this instance. For whatever reason he, Munster and the IRFU have decided to release as little info as possible – we must respect that.

I read a piece in a national newspaper column this week calling for transparency, deeming it ‘newsworthy’ and stating standards must be maintained in order for ‘trust’ to exist among other things. Just because someone’s profession takes place in the public eye – does not mean you are entitled to their medical information. It does not mean the IRFU are playing ‘cloaks and daggers.’

And and on top of all that – has anyone even put any thought into the fact that his medical team could be in a situation where they do need to take it “day by day” at the moment? Perhaps Murray and Munster are being fully transparent and it’s a difficult problem to diagnose?

Either way – Murray will be back all going well. When he and Munster are in a position to disclose any more I’m sure they will. If they decide not to, then that is their decision and we as ‘tax-payers’ and ‘fans’ should respect that.