IRELAND HAVE OFFICIALLY confirmed that Jordi Murphy will join their 31-man World Cup squad in place of the injured Jack Conan.
With Leinster number eight Conan flying home after fracturing his foot, Ulster back row Murphy will arrive into Japan today to link up with Joe Schmidt’s squad in Kobe.
Conan played just one game in this World Cup, impressing in a 62-minute spell off the bench against Scotland, and has now been forced to depart early.
Murphy was pulled from Ulster’s Pro14 fixture on Friday night and is now en route to Japan.
The 28-year-old was among the most unlucky players to miss out on making Ireland’s original 31-man squad, and he will arrive in Japan with plenty of international experience in tow, having been capped 29 times and featured at the last World Cup.
Murphy has played across the back row positions for Ireland and seems likely to be pitched straight into action on Thursday as Schmidt’s men look to record a convincing win against Russia in Kobe, having been shocked by Japan last night.
The loss of Conan is likely to be keenly felt, however, leaving Ireland with one specialist number eight in the shape of CJ Stander.
Murphy joins Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock, Stander, and Tadhg Beirne as Schmidt’s options in the back row in Japan.
The loss of Conan adds to the pre-World Cup injury blows to Dan Leavy and Sean O’Brien.
A bigger loss than most would think, CJ Stander has played far better recently at 6 when Conan is in the 8 jersey offering a more athletic option.
@Con Al: Cj Stander played well in 2015 and 2016. Not the same player since.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: apart from last weeks MON against Scotland
@Con Al: I think CJ goes well at 8 when POM goes well at 6 too and unfortunately we haven’t seen POM near his best for a while.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Stander was a Beast and the best forward on the planet in 2016 & 2017 when he predominantly all of his rugby on the international stage at number 6. He’s only dipped in form since moving to 8. He doesn’t have the footballing ability to play 8.
In 2018 & 2019 the few games he’s played at 6 – Australia 2018 , France 2019 , Wales 2019 in aviva & Scotland last week he was man of the match or contender for MOTM in all 4 games . That’s not a coincidence.
People are pushing the false narrative that he’s lost form which really isn’t the case , he’s being played out of position. The Stander of last week was just as physical and powerful as the Stander of 2015,2016 & 2017.
Furthermore all of Stander’s MOTM performances over the last 4 years (9) have all been from playing as a flanker. He also won 6 Nations Player of the Year In 2016 & 2017 & Irish Player of the Year In 2016 when he was solely deployed at blindside. He’s not a natural number 8 on the international scene but I’d have as the best blindside in the world maybe only second to Ardie Savea
Very unfortunate for Conan but hopefully he has a swift recovery and hits top form again in the blue jersey. Murphy has never let Ireland down and his versatility is a big asset but Conan’s loss is significant. His dynamism in the carry and style of play is something none of our other 8 options possess and the option of having him at 8 and Cj at 6 was one we could’ve utilized but sin e. We well could see more of that combination in the 6n. One mans loss is another mans gain, hope Murphy goes well.
@Ian Verdon: dont think Murphy has the size to have an impact in test rugby.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: depends what kind of impact you’re talking about. A massive tackle busting, line break kind of impact he certainly doesn’t have that same kind of impact Conan has but Murphy is a very intelligent rugby player and his breakdown work could be an impact. We do now lack significant strong ball carrying players in the br. Others elsewhere will have to step up.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Was many peoples man of the match in the first win over New Zealand.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: wouldn’t worry about size if he makes up for it in aggressive defence and attack but he never looks more than solid
@Lapmo Dancer: which people? he played 26 minutes..
So who was the guilty one that stood on his foot ?
Conan is a big loss. Murphy is a fine player but our back row has a very light look to it now.