Number nine.

Ronan O’Gara reckons there’s a huge chance we will see Conor Murray start at nine when Ireland take on the All Blacks next month, despite the Munster star not being named in Joe Schmidt’s initial squad this week.

Murray is yet to play a game this season as he continues to recover from a neck injury. His last game came for Ireland in their series win over Australia way back in June.

But Murray lifted the lid on his injury this week, after keeping things under wraps all along. He admitted he’s expected to be back in a matter of weeks and has reckons he could be back as early as November.

“We can’t put a timeline on a return but we’re looking at weeks now. I’m doing 90% of the training with Munster for the last three weeks or so, doing modified contact on the sideline.” Murray said earlier this week.

And O’Gara reckons with Murray almost back training fully with Munster – the scrumhalf could very well be back in time for the All Blacks game in three weeks time.

“Will Conor Murray be ready to face New Zealand on November 17?” O’Gara wrote in his Irish Examiner column today

“Contrary to what he intimated this week, my gut instinct is that he will play.”

“He’s been going pretty much full on in training and next week he will ramp that up further. If he’s ready, he’ll look to start.”

“Murray is a no-drama sort of fella. A simple, straight shooter. One who doesn’t have to force what comes naturally.”