Murphy still stunned

Exclusive by Jim Stokes

Geordan Murphy could be out of action for up to six months

Geordan Murphy is still coming to terms with missing rugby's global extravaganza after breaking his leg during Ireland's recent victory over Scotland.

The Ireland and Leicester star is on the long road to recovery after having hospital treatment for a compound fracture of the left tibia.

The 25-year-old would have been one of Ireland's strike runners and a likely star of the World Cup, which kicks off on 10 October.

But he will now be forced to watch the tournament from afar following an unfortunate twist of fate at Murrayfield. It is an incident that he has yet to watch.

''I have been told about it, and I believe it is not very pleasant,'' Murphy told this website.

''Everyone says not to look at it. I just might take that advice.

''I knew there was something wrong when I hit the deck. I could feel the bone sticking out through my sock.

''I knew then it was fairly serious, although the pain was not too bad, certainly not as bad as I thought it would have been.

''It all happened through a variety of things. I got my toe stuck on the ground, and with my weight going forward and something hitting me low, it just went.

It will take me a while to get over the disappointment Geordan Murphy

''At first, I said to myself that 'hey I've done something bad here'. Then I thought maybe it was just sprained or something less severe.

''But I quickly realised that it was broken. I've had plenty of bumps and bruises but I have never broken anything before,'' said Murphy who still cannot believe that he will be miss the trip to Australia.

''It will take me a while to get over the disappointment,'' he said. ''I'm still a little bit shocked by it all.

''I was really looking forward to participating in the World Cup. But it's just one of those things. I will just have to get on with it.

''They have put a nail into the bone to help the healing process.

''They have not put an exact date or time span on my recovery, but they reckon about six months.''