RUGBY WORLD: Who are the jokers at Leinster?

JORDI MURPHY: Fergus McFadden is always good for a laugh. And Leo Cullen; he’s been around the block a bit so he’s got a few jokes up his sleeve.

RW: Any practical jokes you can tell us?

JM: After we won the RaboDirect Pro12 last year, we strapped our physio up with tape and ice – just for a bit of fun.

RW: What are your nicknames?

JM: Spain, not many call me that but I was born there. And Uncle J, I’m not even sure why.

RW: What are your bad habits?

JM: Sometimes I leave my poor fish in a bowl of dirty water for too long. Or when I let my room get dirty to the extent that I have to clean it…

RW: Do you have any phobias?

JM: I wouldn’t be a massive fan of spiders. I’d squash them pretty quickly.

RW: And what about bugbears?

JM: Loud noises annoy me when I’m trying to concentrate. I don’t find multitasking the easiest. Also, when my dad keeps asking me what’s wrong when there’s nothing wrong!

RW: Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with?

JM: Cara Delevingne. I have a bit of a thing for her and she seems like good craic too.

RW: What would be your dream car?

JM: I don’t know a lot about cars but I like the Aston Martins in the James Bond films.

RW: Fancy yourself as a bit of a Bond?

JM: I wouldn’t rule it out, if I had a nice tux!

RW: Who’d play you in a film of your life?

JM: Brad Pitt. He’s a popular guy so I’d hope people would go to see it.

In the spotlight: would Brad Pitt want to take on the role of playing Murphy?

RW: Do you have any hidden talents?

JM: I can play the drums, but not well.

RW: Embarrassing rugby moment?

JM: I had to sing a song for my Ireland U20 initiation. I did Birthday Sex, a rap song, and it was pretty awful. After my Ireland debut I sang Teenage Dirtbag. No one sang along and I didn’t get a clap!

RW: What three things would you take to a desert island?

JM: My dog, Kobe; he’s good fun. Sunnies, and a few beers – if I’m going to be alone I may as well have a few drinks.

RW: Do you have any superstitions?

JM: I always say touch wood, and have to find a bit of wood to touch.

RW: What’s the silliest thing you’ve bought?

JM: Does a tattoo count? I got the letters UCJ on my right arm after too many drinks on holiday in Greece. I didn’t want the whole word ‘uncle’. It’s a bit of a mess!

RW: Which of your team-mates would you like to be?

JM: Jimmy Gopperth. He’s a cool guy, a Kiwi and a big-time surfer.

RW: Do you have any regrets?

JM: No, because I love what I’m doing. Some of my friends have gone to work in America, so if I wasn’t playing rugby that’s where I’d be.

RW: How’d you like to be remembered?

JM: I don’t know yet. Brian (O’Driscoll) will be remembered as a superstar, and Leo as a great leader and guy to get on with. So I guess a mix of those two.

This interview was published in the July 2014 edition of Rugby World. Click here for the latest subscription offers.