Player Profile: Phil Murphy

By Timofe
December 26 2003

Phil Murphy

	Nickname	Little Murph
	Position	Lock
	Date of Birth	01/04/80
	Previous Club
	Height	6' 8"
	Tykes Debut	18/03/00
	Honours	England U21

Phil Murphy is a Tyke to his boots. A product of the Leeds youth system he has been patiently waiting his chance to establish himself as a first team regular. In the first two Tykes seasons in the Premiership this proved difficult because of the form and durability of his competitors at lock, Tom Palmer and Phil's "big" brother Chris.

However Phil did have occasional starts in the ZP and was fairly regularly on the bench.
Phil and Chris of course did eventually make Tykes and their own family history by being the first brothers to play in the Premiership side.

This season in the absence of the injured Palmer Phil has been vying with Stuart Hooper and Scott Morgan for a spot at lock and has not disappointed when he has got the nod. He is now the tallest player on the books and is adding some bulk and authority to his performances as a maturing lock.

Although still only in his early 20s the signs look good for the year ahead and he is battling to establish himself in the starting fifteen and a re-contract at the end of this year.

Phil is now becoming a fans favourite because of his perseverance in the true Tykes tradition, and this has been recognised by some of the Tykesrugby posters adopting him as their sponsored player for 2003/4. No pressure there then Phil!

(updated 26/12/2003 by Oopnorth)