Ireland's Murphy enjoys the rollercoaster but still could be derailed

Struggling with an injured knee on Monday, left out of the Ireland squad on Tuesday and facing the end of his international career, recalled from club to country on Thursday, drafted into the team on Friday, Murphy walked off Croke Park on Saturday with the man-of-the-match award in Ireland's victory.

"It has been a real rollercoaster," he said.

He could just as easily have been referring to his career rather than the week.

Last August, for example, Murphy travelled to Edinburgh knowing he needed a performance to secure his place in the World Cup party. He was returning to the same Murrayfield ground where, four years earlier, a broken leg had cost him participation in the World Cup in Australia.

Job done, he boarded the plane to France, but his perceived failings on the wing in Paris a fortnight ago prompted coach Eddie O'Sullivan to remove him even from the squad. A injury to full back Girvan Dempsey gave Murphy another chance and in his preferred club position. Job done again. Maybe.

Murphy said philosophically: "The aim was to give Eddie a selection dilemma. You have to lay down a marker when you get a chance. I've given myself a shot, but it might be the case that I'm back playing for Leicester in two weeks."

It might well be the case. While accepting that Murphy had 'nailed' his opportunity, O'Sullivan described his display only as 'fair'.

During the week the coach had declared Dempsey very much his first-choice full back and went out of his way on Saturday to praise his outstanding contribution in recent years.

If, as expected, Dempsey regains fitness for the Triple Crown decider against Wales on Saturday week, Murphy could miss out. You would not expect either wing, Tommy Bowe and Robert Kearney, to be demoted after the former scored twice and the latter once in the five-try rout against Scotland. Nor is the bench by any means certain for Murphy, with Shane Horgan in possession of that seat.

Murphy said: "I was not entirely happy with my performance against France but I was a little surprised as well as disappointed to be left out. I didn't think I deserved man of the match today either. It should have gone to a forward."

Murphy admitted to a wry smile on hearing the announcement over the public address system.

"The forwards would probably not have heard it. They were all grafting while the backs were busy doing their hair."

Frank Hadden looked and sounded like a dead coach walking. Scotland's statistical superiority in terms of possession and territory confirmed his belief that progress had been made.

But the lack of a cutting edge is chronic. The Scots did not look as if they could score from a yard and it was a surprise when Simon Webster darted in from much further.

Hadden is clutching to the hope that the visit of England in a fortnight can inspire Scotland. He said:

"I'm very confident we can do that special thing at Murrayfield for our fans. We know we have to rise to the challenge and step up again. I don't see why not."

There was hope for the future with an astonishing 67-7 victory for Scotland A over Ireland A on Friday. That future will probably not be Hadden's.

The rout was masterminded by Sean Lineen and Andy Robinson, whose reputation north of the Border continues to grow.