Tom Jordan won’t miss a single minute for Glasgow, next season, after ‘intentional’ Conor Murray hit

Patrick McCarry

The tackle was deemed “intentional” and a ban was imposed but the outhalf will be free to play from the start of the 2023/24 URC season.

Conor Murray had his United Rugby Championship quarter final cut short after only 25 minutes, and will miss Saturday’s semi-final against Leinster. Tom Jordan, meanwhile, will miss some ‘A’ matches and a potential Barbarians game over the summer.

The URC have been quick to clarify and earlier press release, though, and state Jordan WILL miss the Challenge Cup Final against Toulon, on May 19.

The 24-year-old was red-carded mid-way through the first half of Glasgow Warriors’ last eight defeat to Munster, at Scotstoun, last weekend. Tracking over to shut down a Munster attack up the left wing, he appeared to pull a leg muscle.

Jordan, in a split, opted to go all-in to halt Murray in his tracks. His shoulder crunched into the head of the Munster scrumhalf and left him in a heap. After a pause of three minutes, Jordan was red-carded and Murray went for a Head Injury Assessment, He did not return to the field.

Glasgow lose out-half Tom Jordan, who sees red for this reckless tackle on Conor Murray. #RTERugby #RTESport #GLAvMUN

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— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) May 6, 2023

Tom Jordan accepted ‘he had committed foul play’

After being cited for the high shot on Conor Murray, Tom Jordan went through a disciplinary process and was handed a five week suspension, reduced from 10.

Jordan will miss four games in the coming weeks – for Glasgow ‘A’ in the FOSROC Super Series Sprint – but could return to action for that ‘A’ side in July. The New Zealander has played 23 games for Glasgow in his first full season with the club so it remains to be seen how much he would have featured in ‘A’ games against Ayrshire Bulls, Boroughmuir Bears and Stirling Wolves. However, his club stated he was in consideration for selection, so that counts as a huge chunk of his ban.

It was also posited that Jordan was in line for a Barbarians game against Swansea RFC at the end of this month, so that counts for another game of his ban. A release from the URC reads:

‘After an act of foul play by Glasgow Warriors player No 10 (Tom Jordan), referee Andrea Piardi showed the player a red card in the 25th minute of the game 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.

‘In the player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Simon Thomas, Wales), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. Mr.Thomas found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of top-end warranting 10 weeks suspension. The player received a five weeks reduction for mitigation including his unblemished disciplinary, timely guilty plea and apology to Munster No 9. This results in a five game suspension.

‘Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.’

Fixtures Tom Jordan is unavailable for:

13 May 2023, Super 6 Sprint Series 5
20 May 2023, Super 6 Sprint Series 5
27 May 2023, Super 6 Sprint Series Final
31 May 2023, Barbarians v Swansea RFC
29 July 2023, Super 6 Sprint Series 1 (Season 2023 – 2024)

You will see the graphic below states the Tom Jordan hit was not reckless, and that Conor Murray was not injured. Both are wide of the mark.

Munster concussion woes

Tom Jordan will be available for the start of the 2023/24 season with Glasgow Warriors, including their pre-season games. Aside from the red card, he was yellow-carded earlier in the season so the ‘good record’ coin that flipped in his favour is based off a short window. He previously played club rugby with Ayrshire.

As well as Conor Murray, Malakai Fekitoa, Calvin Nash and RG Snyman were all concussed in the win over Glasgow. All three will miss the semi against Leinster, this weekend.