Connacht's Josh Murphy to take year out from professional rugby

Connacht will be without versatile forward Josh Murphy for the upcoming season, with the 28-year-old taking a year out of the professional game to further his medical studies.

The former Leinster man is due to begin an internship at a Dublin hospital, and will sit out the province's 2023/24 campaign, according to Independent.ie.

RTÉ Sport understands that Murphy, who can play both second and back row, has been allowed defer the second year of his contract with the province in order to pursue his medical career, and will return to The Sportsground ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Murphy studied medicine at UCD while playing for Leinster, graduating in 2021.

The Wexford man joined Connacht just over a year ago and was a regular presence in Andy Friend's side in his debut season, playing 18 times in all competitions as Connacht reached the semi-final of the BKT United Rugby Championship, and securing qualification for the Champions Cup.

It is believed Connacht's management were aware of his plans to take a season out of the game when he signed for the province, and he is set to link up with Clontarf ahead of the new Energia All Ireland League season.

While Connacht will be losing a first-team regular for the coming season, Pete Wilkins' side have added to their second and back row stocks, with Joe Joyce arriving from Bristol, while back rows Sean Jansen and Sean O'Brien have also been recruited from Leicester and Leinster respectively.

The western province get their URC campaign under way against the Ospreys on Saturday 21 October.

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