Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey will miss the European Challege Cup final with Montpellier after it was confirmed a hamstring injury is expected to rule him out “for a number of weeks”.
Head coach Richie Murphy said after Friday’s dramatic draw with Stormers that McCloskey was a major doubt for the final in Bilbao on 22 May after he pulled his hamstring in the semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs.
But in a squad update beore Friday’s crucial United Rugby Championship game with Glasgow Warriors in Belfast, Ulster confirmed that the 33-year-old is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Wing Jacob Stockdale is also a doubt for the European decider after he had “successful surgery” on a facial fracture, which he sustained in the win over Exeter when he was sent to the sin bin for a tackle on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Back row David McCann will miss the game with Glasgow with a knee injury and is also a concern for the Bilbao final.
Ulster are also waiting to hear if captain Iain Henderson will face a ban after his 20-minute red card for a croc roll on Stormers hooker Deon Fourie.
In better news for Murphy’s side, centre James Hume and hooker Rob Herring have returned to training after their respective neck and calf injuries and will be assessed ahead of the game.
Ulster currently hold the eighth and final play-off place in the URC heading into the final game of the regular season, which would also secure Champions Cup rugby for next season.
Glasgow are top of the table and victory in Belfast would secure top spot.
