Cheap shot.

Jordi Murphy’s Rugby World Cup campaign with Ireland could be over after just 28 minutes of action against Russia this morning.

The Ulster back-row flew over during the week as an injury replacement for Jack Conan after fractured a bone in his foot and came straight into the starting line-up at eight against the Russians.

But just 28 minutes into the game, Murphy was hit with a ‘cheap shot’ by the Russian tighthead. Murphy’s arms were above his head and exposed in a maul after lifting in a lineout when the prop came in with a shoulder shot into his mid-region.

Murphy played on for five minutes but the damage was done to his ribs and he had to come off in the end. A sickening blow.