Rugby World Cup: Jordi Murphy set to get the call as Jack Conan ruled out of tournament

Leinster backrow broke his leg during training ahead of the Japan game

Jack Conan sits on the sideline with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw during Ireland’s defeat to Japan at the Ecopa stadium in Shizuoka. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Jack Conan sits on the sideline with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw during Ireland’s defeat to Japan at the Ecopa stadium in Shizuoka. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Ulster's Jordi Murphy is set to be called up to the Ireland squad in Japan after his former Leinster team-mate Jack Conan was ruled out on Saturday with a broken foot.

Conan impressed when he was called off the bench early in the opening 27-3 win over Scotland and looked set to start against Japan on Saturday but hurt his foot in training.

Murphy, who featured in the last World Cup and was close to making the cut this time, was withdrawn for Ulster’s Pro 14 game against Ospreys on Friday as Ireland awaited news on the extent of Conan’s injury.

The 28-year-old, capped 29 times, is comfortable at number eight or flanker and is likely to feature in the remaining pool games against Russia and Samoa after Ireland fielded an unchanged pack for their first two games.