But the 30-year-old remains determined to put in a big performance in front of a sell-out crowd.

“The World Cup is something every player wants to go to and the fact I missed the last one, I wanted to make sure I was selected for this one,” said Murphy.

“The injury has always been in my memory bank and when I was selected for the Scotland game, I was asked was I worried about breaking my leg again.

“So I didn’t have the luxury of completely putting it out of my mind.

“Once the whistle goes, all fears sort of go out of your mind. It’s a relief to be named in a World Cup squad but we’re not there yet, so anything can go wrong but it’s not something I think about.

“I’d rather play well and get injured than not play well.”

Equally adept at full back or on the wing, Murphy is also considered Ireland’s third fly-half behind Ronan O’Gara and Paddy Wallace.

But with a World Cup looming large and injury problems in the Ireland back division he knows he could cement a starting place if he impresses against Italy.

“Some people may think it is a curse being versatile as you get pushed around in the team but I’m quite happy to play anywhere,” he said.

“It’s a great honour to play for your country, it’s a little bit tough when you’re getting moved up and down the back line.

“It would be nicer to be in one position but I’m just happy to be in the shirt.

“With Shane Horgan and Brian O’Driscoll to come back, it is going to be very difficult as these guys have done a tremendous job for Ireland over the years.

“When you’re on the wing it’s quite difficult, I think it’s important to play well and put in a good performance before we go to France.”

As well as posing a threat to Italy with his skill and pace on the wing, Murphy can also provide his coach Eddie O’Sullivan with the inside track on the opposition.

Murphy added: “I know a couple of their guys as I play my club rugby with Martin Castrogiovanni and I’ve been introduced to quite a lot of his Italian friends.

“Italy are a very strong side, they have improved immeasurable over the last few years and they are real contenders now.

“They are a very big side and when they put their game together they are pretty impressive.

“Castrogiovanni is a big boy but he is quick as well, he was Leicester’s player’s player of the season last year. He is a huge asset and a very good prop.”

After the defeat to Scotland and the over-physical encounter against French club side Bayonne – which saw O’Driscoll taken to hospital with a broken sinus - Murphy is hoping Ireland can put on a performance in Belfast that will take them to France on a high.

“I think playing terribly and getting the result wouldn’t be a good thing. Ideally we want to have a great performance and that would lead to the result.

“It’s our last chance before we get to France to sort out our combinations and fine-tuning. We’ve got another couple of weeks’ training so we can still work on things but this is probably the last in a match situation.”