By Grainne McGuinness and Shaun Cronin

Scrum-half Conor Murray was bullish when interviewed after Ireland’s draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday; believing it is a good base for Ireland to build on in the Championship.

The match ended 16-16. with Murray the only try-scorer for Ireland.

He was asked afterwards if Ireland were pleased or disappointed by the drawn game.

“Bit of both, probably more happy I’d say,” he said. “I thought we played quite well.”

Ireland got off to a blistering start, building up a 13-0 lead in the first half, before the visitors fought their way back into the game, making it 13-10 by halftime.

“I thought we opened up really well in the first 30 minutes, it was going really well.

“The disappointing side to that was the last ten minutes before half-time, letting them back in the game and back on the scoreboard.”

“The second half was more even, I thought we defended really, really well. I thought we attacked quite well too.”

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Murray acknowledged there was more more work to be done before next week’s game, away to France in Paris.

“There’s always work to do and I’m sure Joe and the coaches will look at the game tonight and look at shoring up those little areas where we weren’t quite as tight.”

But he had no doubt when asked if Ireland still had a chance of claiming three-in-a-row Six Nations titles.

“Definitely, whatever about the draw you’re still in the hunt,” he insisted. “Performance-wise, that was a good way to start and I think we can build on that and get better.”

Keith Earls a doubt for France game due to fears of concussion