CONNACHT LOCK JOSH Murphy has been handed a four-week suspension following his red card against Ulster last Saturday.
Referee Andrew Brace showed Murphy the red card in the 71st minute of his side’s loss at Ravenhill after a tackle on Ulster’s James McCormick.
The law in question is 9.13, which states: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”
Judicial officer Simon Thomas (Wales) found that the incident met the red card threshold, with “entry of mid-range warranting six weeks”.
Murphy got two weeks’ mitigation for factors including his apology to McCormick and the referee. Should Murphy complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, or “tackle school”, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Murphy is unavailable for:
Connacht v Leinster, 19 October, URC
Connacht v Dragons, 26 October URC
Connacht A v Leinster A, 16 November
Connacht A v Ulster A, 22 November
Fair enough. He is a really abrasive and athletic player, one Connacht missed last season, but that was just silly. Disappointing too, coming from a qualified doctor, that he would shoulder a head like that. Effectively cost Connacht the match too. If he can bring better discipline into his game, he could be a force for seasons to come.
@JoeVlogs: I agree he’s an enforcer.
@Gary Galligan: some towns are tougher than others.
@brian o’leary: lol wat u mean ..
Can’t argue with that. Pity cos he could have been on the outskirts for a Irish call
@Gary Galligan: 2 games in the ban are Connacht vs A teams mind and can he get 1 off for tackle school?
@Punt: True, although the ‘saved’ game will be one of the ‘A’ ones
@Gary Galligan: Highly doubt that. The Irfu and Farrell have been pretty open about the fact European cup windows is where you earn your badges for an Ireland call up. It’s why some Munster players don’t get the call, especially after the home losses to Bayonne u15 team,14 man Northampton and a pretty bang average Exeter side last year.
@Eoin H: well he’s better than Wycherley Treadwell etc. Obviously Joe beirne Ryan ahead of him. And Henderson best days behind him. Id take him as 4th lock. He’s grizzled Sheridan Izzy Baird ahern not on international second row quality yet ……
@Gary Galligan: He is nowhere near big enough to play second row for Connacht, never mind at international level. I thought you meant 6, but second row your just having a laugh
@Gary Galligan: Didn’t play pro last season but has been good in the early games this season, however that hardly justifies an international call up. Shine in the European games and Xmas Interpros and he may merit looking at by Easterby co.
@Gary Galligan: no point in investing in a guy for ireland that has never been involved in camp and turns 30 in february.
@Niall English: nail, hit, head….
@Eoin H: he’s bigger than Wycherley Treadwell Baird
@Eoin H: he’s 6 foot 6 110 kg
@Gary Galligan: unfortunately the only chance he’ll ever get at getting capped is injuries…of epidemic proportions. At lock and backrow. And at the same time!
Heffernan’s on Henderson looked worse but it hasn’t even been mentioned
@Rab McCracken: Probably because it wasn’t a high tackle by the letter of the law. But sure don’t let facts get in the way of your opinion.
@Patrick Kennedy: What law are you reading?
He got off very lightly there. It looked pretty bad