In 1997 shortly before he joined Leicester Tigers, Murphy gained his first U19 cap for Ireland, playing his club rugby with Naas.

[5] Murphy broke his leg in Ireland's last warm-up game against Scotland at Murrayfield prior to the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup and did not compete.

His main rivals for the Ireland full back starting position were Girvan Dempsey and Rob Kearney.

In his autobiography he stated that he had a poor working relationship with former Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan mainly because he played for an English team.

He returned in February, to lead the team to a successive Guinness Premiership title, when the Tigers beat Saracens 33–27 in the final.

[12] On 11 September Murphy was picked to start in the first match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup since Rob Kearney was injured.

[citation needed] Murphy was placed in formal interim charge of Leicester Tigers on 3 September 2018 following the sacking of O'Connor.