ULSTER HAVE STAMPED an injured status on six players after last Saturday night’s close-run 14 v 15 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.
As expected, Rory Best (sprained ankle) and Ruan Pienaar (shoulder), both injured in the first half of the 15 – 17 defeat),face the longest spells sidelined with the province outlining at least six weeks out for both.
Lock Dan Tuohy (fractured hand) and back row Roger Wilson (fractured thumb) have been ruled out until at least May with Tuohy expected to undergo surgery this week.
There is no definite timeframe set on the return of either Andrew Trimble (concussion) or John Afoa (spinal disc), though both have been ruled of Friday night’s inter-pro against Connacht in Ravenhill.
Going to be a tough run-in for the final games of the season for Ulster now, I wouldn’t expect another Rabo final to be honest. Maybe it’s a silver lining; give the younger inexperienced players a few games and have the more experienced members rest until the summer tour to Argentina/the start of next season.
Along with the six players out injured, Payne is now suspended and Williams went off injured on Saturday. Top 4 finish looking unlikely.