ULSTER LOCK IAIN Henderson has emerged as a doubt for the Six Nations after his provincial head coach confirmed he will not return before the end of January at the earliest.
Speaking at today’s press conference ahead of their Champions Cup clash at Gloucester at the weekend, Ulster chief Dan McFarland admitted they are preparing for the next six games without their captain.
Henderson suffered a knee injury on Ireland duty against Scotland in the third-fourth play-off of the Autumn Nations Cup two weeks ago and has since seen a specialist on the issue.
And McFarland has now cast doubt over whether the lock will be available for the Six Nations after revealing he likely won’t play again for his province prior to the start of next season’s tournament in February.
Henderson returned for the Autumn Nations Cup after being suspended for the conclusion of the Six Nations in October, featuring off the bench away to England and starting against both Georgia and Scotland.
He had appeared to have won back his starting jersey alongside James Ryan, however his comeback lasted only a short time as he was replaced in the 39th minute of the 31-16 win over the Scots after injuring his knee.
In the short-term, Henderson will miss Ulster’s must-win Champions Cup fixtures against Gloucester and their return trip to Toulouse – who they were beaten 29-22 by in their opening game at Kingspan Stadium last Friday – as well as their three interprovincials in the Guinness PRO14.
“It’s not that (the defeat) simplifies (the situation) because it wouldn’t have mattered if we’d won against Toulouse at home. If you win at home, you obviously don’t want to go away and lose at Gloucester,” insisted McFarland.
“If you win all four games then you have a chance at getting a home quarter-final. We would have been in the same position going to Gloucester in that we really want to win. The same thing applies now, we really want to win.
“This is a great competition, and for us every game is really valuable in terms of experience for our players, but also in terms of the glory of being able to win a Champions Cup game.
“The pain of losing to Toulouse is difficult to deal with, but we took part in what was a really great match on a weekend where some were quite lopsided.
“The mood is pretty good when you can come in and you can say you played pretty well. There are plenty of things to work on and we actually enjoy doing that.
“Will we be disappointed with the result? Obviously. But we’ve got to turn around and it’s Gloucester next.”
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Come on spurs. Destroy those deluded fools.
The irony.
Liverpool fans are the most deluded on this planet. Everyone knows that.
Yidds are in cookoo land
Coming from a United supporter still in denial
How are Spurs delusional? Ask City…
Spurs fans have been deluded since their Champions League dizziness.
Spurs on their day can beat any team in that league; consistency is the problem more so than delusion. The ability is there in droves.
Karol is 100% bang on. Liverpool fans think they are a title winning side that can still compete in the champions league. They’re a mid table club as best. Or as Carragher once said. “Liverpool are no longer a big club”.
Yeah a lot of fans are deluded, sure many united fans thought they were favourites to win the league a few weeks ago. Back where they belong? Hilarious.
Lads, does Ron know United are 3rd and 2 points off top?
Ron, City lodt 4-1 to spurs, a lesser side than Aresnal. Don’t write United off just yet
Ironic, so biased
All football fans are biased when it comes to the team they support, its human nature.
Carol and Loner are correct, they have accepted that Man U are average and have moved on.
Another few hundred million and the league cup is within your sights. The idea of a spurs fan calling Liverpool fans deluded is embarrassing for them
I’m not a Spurs fan.
How on earth are our 3 main strikers all injured?
Liverpool fans must be delighted with a manager actually playing Can and Lucas together in midfield.
Come on the pool !!!
And why is anyone even surprised that Daniel Sturridge is out injured, sick note head on him
He’s hardly making it up, and is fairly useful when he is fit.
Will take a draw
2-2 is 11/1 with PP
Jeasus he’s no-one up front to choose from .. Hope it goes well for him YNWA
For his first game he has a pitiful choice of players.
Come come now. The Liverpool squad is full of promising young players, it’s a bit harsh to be writing them off. I know for a fact if anyone of them played for United you’d have a different perspective. Biased, simple as…..
Come on Kloppo!
3-1 to the Pool!
YNWA
Wouldn’t get ahead of yourself there, I got a back lashing the last time I gave a prediction. It will a good game however.
You’re not calling him Kloppo already are you. Oh God.
Ah Chris is back!!!! I LOL with his prediction in the arsenal game how do you call it today Chris?
Alan B = Pathetic.
Not as pathetic as your predictions Christopher
Difference is Alan B, I can say I got it wrong and acknowledge it.
Where there is you, whom keeps sprouting crap on this site.
I can imagine Alan B having really greasy hair and needs glasses because of all the time he’s spent looking at a computer screen.
You do know the journal is available as an app on smartphones unknown you don’t have to log on to your computer to read it
What’s your prediction today Christopher?
Chris, I would have predicted this would turn into a slagging match.
3 – 1 Spurs with Kane 1st goalscorer
Make that 2-1 and I’d agree with you
What’s your prediction in the united game?
1-1 draw
Mine was 0-3 ! Was I close ….
I’ve had a bet with my Liverpool supporting nephew that whoever loses has to send the other a photo naked in a shopping center. Please win Spurs !!!
@Shakka
Could turn out to be the worst bet of your life.
Come on da Pool!
why do you want to see your nephew naked?
Are you his aunt or uncle. Too weird either way
Please tell me your nephew is over 18 at least.
I’d go into the jacks in one and send one from there. you should have been more specific
Or a changing room
Which shopping centre?
What was the plan in case of a draw?
Well, a patched up team, against a very good team that destroyed Man City…. Sorry to disappoint deluded Man U fans, but Liverpool have a manager who is going to reinvent this club, bring them back to where they belong….. Will take time, but it will happen.
Yeah shoring up the defense has to be the priority but Liverpool did get a few chances in the second half. Spurs were the better team but not by enough to deserve the win.
And having faith in some players….Sakho for example.
Sakho Sh!te