Geordan Murphy's man-of-the-match  performance in yesterday's 34-13 win over Scotland should provide Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan with a selection dilemmas ahead of the Welsh visit to Croke Park in a fortnight.

Axed on Tuesday in response to a fragile display against France, Murphy returned to his club Leicester that same night to undergo treatment on a knee injury. Once fit he was named in the squad for the weekend's Guinness Premiership match against Sale, only to make a dramatic return to Dublin.

First choice full-back Girvan Dempsey had suffered a hip injury and when he failed a fitness test on Friday, Murphy was thrust straight back in the starting line-up.

Earlier in the week O'Sullivan had been forced to fend off questions over the possible demise of Murphy's Test career, but his display mocked those forecasting the end of his career.

Instead, the 29-year-old celebrated his reprieve with a performance full of courage and vision, possibly his best in a green jersey.

Now O'Sullivan - who has shared a tempestuous relationship with one of Ireland's most gifted players - has two weeks to decide who starts against Wales

"It's been a rollercoaster week. I was nervous before the match and there was a bit of pressure there from other sources," said Murphy. "I never thought it was the end of my international career. I've been in that position before.

"It's not the first time I've been left out and the thing was always to remain positive. Being dropped like that does dent your confidence but you get yourself back after a day or so. I wasn't entirely happy with my display in France but I set myself high standards. However, I was a little bit surprised to be left out.

"I don't think I deserved man of the match against Scotland either, but it makes for a good story. They gave it to the fairytale."

No two players in rugby polarise opinion like Murphy and Dempsey. Murphy, once described as the George Best of rugby, is the potential matchwinner whose talent sits comfortably alongside the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara.

Dempsey is more dependable, a solid operator who rarely makes a mistake but will never match his rival for raw skill no matter how much he has grown as an attacking option.

The problem for O'Sullivan when pondering who should start against Wales is that Dempsey has been possibly Ireland's best player during a torrid 12 months. It would be a savage blow to the 32-year-old, who only on Tuesday spoke of his frustration at his perceived offensive shortcomings, to be discarded.

Murphy has often struggled to translate his form for Leicester, where he is an influential figure, into a green shirt.

But if this can be explained by his frequent presence on the wing rather than his preferred position at full-back, then O'Sullivan faces a conundrum to which there is no obvious solution.

"I don't want to seem ungrateful because I'll play anywhere in an Ireland shirt - even prop - but I've always said 15 is where I want to be," said Murphy. "I haven't seen a whole lot of time in the position but that's sometimes been down to the breaks in luck.

"I see everything unfolding in front of me while on the wing you try to keep your wits. On the wing you finish tries whereas I look at full-back as more of a creative role.

"I enjoy playing there and that's where I've been playing for Leicester for the last few years. I'm used to it now.

"I hope I've given Eddie a selection dilemma. That was the aim. You have to lay down a marker when you get the chance. I've given myself a shot and now it's up to Eddie."

Murphy's display against Scotland was welcomed by O'Sullivan but the Ireland coach felt the need to rally the Dempsey banner.

"I'm delighted for Geordan but Girvan has been outstanding for Ireland at full-back," he said "He's a different type of player to Geordan and he's often maligned unfairly. But his strike rate is extraordinary.

"He's scored many key tries — against Georgia at the World Cup and against Italy in our first Six Nations match."