Connacht's Josh Murphy given four-week ban after red card v Ulster but will miss just two URC games

Connacht's Josh Murphy is in line to miss just two BKT United Rugby Championship games following his red card in last week’s defeat to Ulster in Belfast.

The versatile forward was shown a straight red card by referee Andrew Brace after a dangerous collision with Ulster’s James McCormick, in the 71st minute of the 32-27 defeat.

The 29-year-old appeared before an independent disciplinary committee, where he accepted he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.

Murphy had been sanctioned under Law 9.13: "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."

The disciplinary committee deemed the incident was deserving of a red card, with a mid-range entry point of a six-week suspension, two weeks of which were cut due to his apology to McCormick, engagement in the disciplinary process and his previous clean disciplinary record.

While Murphy was given a four-week suspension, that ban will be reduced by a further week if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme – more commonly known as 'Tackle School’.

The Wexford man will now miss Connacht’s URC games against Leinster and Dragons, while he will also be suspended for Connacht A v Leinster A on 16 November.

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