Scotland and Northampton prop Euan Murray has played down his chances of selection for next year’s Lions Tour to South Africa.

The 28-year-old has been in imperious form for club and country this season and has accumulated 25 caps in Scotland colours, notching two tries in the process.

Murray will face stiff competition in fellow Scot Ian McGeechan’s squad from England World Cup finalist Andrew Sheridan and Wales’ ferocious front-rower Gethin Jenkins.

But despite Murray’s stand-out performances against South Africa, New Zealand and Canada, the former Glasgow Warrior is taking nothing for granted.

“I can't listen to any kind of talk tipping me for the Lions,” he said. As soon as I start thinking that the job is done, I'm beaten.

"I would love to go, any player would. “But it takes a huge amount of hard work and commitment as well as a fair bit of luck.

“You also need to stay injury-free for the whole season and the current season is not even half way through – there’s an extremely long way to go yet and I just need to keep my head down.