Ireland handed boost as Conor Murray escapes ban

Munster scrum-half Conor Murray is cited for incident during Pro12 win over Glasgow

Conor Murray is available for Ireland's November internationals after a citing hearing found the Munster scrum-half should not be banned.

Murray was cited for striking with the elbow during Munster's win over Glasgow Warriors last Friday.

He faced a possible ban of up to eight weeks, ruling him out of Tests against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.

The citing committee found that, while an act of foul play was committed, it was not a red card offence.

Ulster's Paul Marshall was a likely replacement in the Irish squad if Murray had been suspended.

Warriors' replacement scrum-half Niko Matawalu was also cited for allegedly biting Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan.