Not good.

Ireland U20s star Ciaran Booth was stretchered off against Italy in the U20s World Championship today following a horror challenge at the breakdown that looks to have seriously injured him.

Protecting the jacklaer has been a huge talking point in recent months, with Dan Leavy being the high profile case after he was ruled out of the World Cup following a career-threatening injury under the same circumstances.

The Italian player is clearly in from the side with a complete disregard for his opponent. Crazily he wasn’t even punished, with a penalty eventually given to Ireland after Italy were judged to have held on.