Murray has racked up 63 European appearances for the Irish province, with 63 of them coming in the Heineken Champions Cup – the other two in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

He has bagged 10 European tries, including a crucial quarter-final score against RC Toulon in 2018 as they defeated the three-time champions at Thomond Park, before falling to Racing 92 in the last four.

The 32-year-old has also won Heineken Star of the Match awards against the likes of Ospreys, Saracens, Scarlets and Edinburgh Rugby, helping Munster reach five European semi-finals, albeit without winning one.

Murray has been on two previous Lions tours and has helped his country to three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018.

“I still don’t have my head around it, but it’s something that is an unbelievable honour, it’s something that I never thought would be possible,” said Murray after the announcement.

“We’re very disappointed to lose Alun Wyn. He’s been brilliant for the first two weeks. I’ve known him from the past two tours and he’s been incredible. It’s a huge loss.

“It was a little bit of a surprise (to be asked) to be honest. I didn’t even think about it. I knew that Al was out and then you just, you look around the squad and there’s so many contenders.

“It’s a huge honour, but there’s such a good group of leaders in this squad that it makes it less daunting, definitely. I think there’s lads that you can lean on.

“What kind of puts me at ease is that we’ve such a good leadership group that it means I can continue being myself. There’ll be a little bit more responsibility, but I don’t think it should change anything around the camp.

I think that’s one of the most important things - that I remain myself, and I assume that’s why Warren asked me to do it.”

With Munster Rugby scrum-half Conor Murray now set to captain the British and Irish Lions following the injury to Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, we take a look at the Irish No.9 ahead of the Lions’ tour of South Africa.