Euan Murray is adamant he has no regrets about his decision to stop playing rugby on Sundays due to his religious beliefs.
Prop comfortable after foregoing Sundays games
Euan Murray is adamant he has no regrets about his decision to stop playing rugby on Sundays due to his religious beliefs.
As a result of his views, the prop sat out Scotland's defeat to France at Murrayfield last weekend, instead having a 'Lord's Day'.
The 29-year-old has been a born-again Christian for more than four years and consequently it caused controversy in December when it emerged he would no longer play for his country on a Sunday.
Murray originally converted to Christianity in 2005 after suffering a potentially life-threatening injury playing for Glasgow, but some questioned why it had taken him four years to reach his decision not to compete on Sundays.
However, the front-rower has now explained that he wanted to make the move much earlier, but his contract at club side Northampton meant he was unable to do so.
He successfully negotiated a new deal last summer, which included a clause excusing him from Sunday service, and his decision to remove himself from Test action followed soon after.
"The decision was made quite a while ago, probably over a year ago and it's just come to light now," Murray explained.
"It was a difficult decision. It took me about three years after I became a Christian.
"But I'm happy with my decision and I had a good Sunday, a good 'Lord's Day'."
With Murray otherwise engaged, attending mass in the morning and evening and catching up with family and friends, Scotland's pack was dominated by that of France in the 18-9 defeat.
He admitted his disappointment at missing the match and relief that his country's remaining four fixtures all fall on a Saturday.
Indeed, he insists there is no reason why games should be scheduled for a Sunday, adding: "I hope things will change in future. I don't see why there have to be games on Sundays."
Accommodating
Despite his self-imposed exile last weekend, Murray has been recalled by Scotland boss Andy Robinson for this weekend's clash with Wales and insists the entire national set-up have been very accommodating towards him following his announcement.
"They just take me as I come," he continued. "They've been with me through the good times and the bad.
"They've seen both sides of my life, before I was a Christian and after. So they know how important it is.
"I don't know how many of them (team-mates) agree, necessarily, but they're supportive and they know that's what drives me as a player and as a man."
Asked if he feared a negative reaction from them or from head coach Robinson, he added: "I wasn't worried - just willing to take whatever I would face.
Supportive
"But Andy's been very supportive and I really appreciate that.
"I'm really happy that he's given me the opportunity to play this week."
As arguably Scotland's only truly world-class player, Murray is thought of as something of a talisman.
The hype surrounding him every time he returns from an injury is extraordinary but he says modestly: "I don't think of myself as a hero or anything.
"I just go and do my job and I look to the other guys to go and do their jobs as well.
"I don't go out and hit people with hatred, because that would be wrong. But I go out and I try to smash people as hard as I can.
"I do that all over the field, and try to be honest and hard-working.
"I make mistakes, just like anyone else, and don't always get it right."
