ULSTER HAVE BEEN dealt a massive blow ahead of the restarted rugby season with news that Iain Henderson will be out for at least eight weeks.
The powerful second row underwent surgery on his hip and the northern province expect him to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.
Such a timeline would keep Henderson out of not only the business end of the Pro14 season, which begins next weekend, but also the Heineken Champions Cup, in which Ulster travel to take on Toulouse in the quarter-final on 20 September.
Like his fellow Ireland second row James Ryan, Henderson’s recovery timeline would put him in contention for Ireland’s resumed Six Nations and a hectic November schedule.
Also set to put his hip under the knife is prop Andy Warwick with his surgery set for next week.
Will Addison is also marked as a doubt ahead of Ulster’s return to action against Connacht on Sunday week as he rehabs a back injury.
Angus Curtis continues to work his way back from a horror knee injury, but Matt Faddes, Sam Carter (both shoulder), Matty Rea and Greg Jones (both ankle) are returning to full training after recovering from their own surgeries.
Will fiji and Japan be based in Europe durning this?
@Kingshu: I would assume so as the window seems too short for team to be travelling back & forth to Japan or Fiji
@Kingshu:
Not only that but possibly remain in isolation for the time they are here like the West Indies cricket team are doing at present
@Kingshu: I don’t understand why Fiji is up in the northern hemisphere?
Would it not make more sense to have them be based in New Zealand and play against the rugby championship teams?
Georgia definitely should play, and Japan at a stretch.
@Aaron Tynan: because most of Fiji’s players are based in France and England.
@Kingshu: I’d say it’ll be Fiji and Georgia rather than Japan. Either way, yes they’ll be based in Europe. This won’t be home and away fixtures. The talk has been two groups of four, so three games each, plus a final between the two group winners. Probably have each group based at one venue, Twickenham and Aviva maybe. Sounds like a great plan to me and hope it comes to pass.
Any news on whether those who had tickets for the postponed 6 nations matches will be allowed in?
Asking for a friend
Would love to see Japan after what they have done they deserve it. I don’t think they will be whipping boys of the tournament either.