Northern hemisphere recruit Ruaidhri Murphy is ready to turn up the scrummaging heat in his bid to make the Brumbies’ Super rugby starting team.

Coach Jake White makes no secret of a long-term plan to develop prop Murphy, who holds joint Irish and Australian citizenship, as a future Wallaby.

The 24-year-old faces a more immediate battle to earn a spot in the Brumbies’ top side amid stiff competition from the likes of Wallaby starting prop Ben Alexander and highly-regarded Dan Palmer but said on Wednesday he believes he’s in with a chance.

“I’d like to think so, although I think everyone would consider themselves the same at this stage,” said Ireland Under-20 representative Murphy, who arrived after two seasons with English premiership club Exeter.

“Everyone has got something to play for, but because I grew up in an environment where the set piece was a massive emphasis I’d like to think that’s where I’m going to try and get my edge over my own competition.

“I’m used to a hard-hitting, get-in-there-and-learn kind of aspect … I’d like to think I’ve got a pretty good grasp on scrummaging.”

The internal fight for selection kicks off in earnest this Saturday, when the Brumbies meet the Western Force in their opening trial in Darwin.

Murphy, who’s been in Canberra for just on four months, said the competition was heating up, with a young Brumbies side keen to put the legacy of last season’s failures behind them.

“All the hard work’s about to culminate into our first big hit-out and we’ve been building nicely over the last few weeks, so it’s about time,” he said.

White sees Murphy as a good prospect for the Brumbies and also Australia further down the track.

“Scrumming is much more important in the northern hemisphere so to learn there helps here in the southern hemisphere,” White said.

“Given the shortage of props in Australia, I think long-term for Australian rugby he’s the way forward because he’s 24 and he’s played overseas.”

Murphy was a tot when his family relocated to Perth, where he spent 14 years before moving back to Ireland.

He needs to stay in Australia for a straight 36 months before he’s eligible to wear the green and gold.

“I’m prepared to carry him for a bit in terms of the non-citizen stuff because I know the rewards will come when he’s 25, 26 years old,” White said.

Murphy will have to put up with his team-mate’s digs in the meantime.

“You get the usual Irish crack and all that,” said the prop with a chuckle.

“But I’m an Australian … I won’t complain.”