Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune is in contention to play for Ulster in Friday’s Challenge Cup final with Montpellier after he returned to full training ahead of schedule.
Baloucoune had initially been ruled out for three months with an elbow injury picked up in Ireland’s successful Six Nations Triple Crown decider with Scotland in March.
His return, a month sooner than originally planned, is a boost for head coach Richie Murphy as wing Jacob Stockdale has been ruled out of the final after he had surgery on a facial injury.
Stockdale was injured in a tackle on Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the Challenge Cup semi-final, which was deemed to be high by match officials and he was sent to the sin bin.
Back row David McCann has also returned to full training after he injured his knee late on against Exeter.
As expected, Stuart McCloskey is out of the final with a hamstring injury picked up in the victory over the Chiefs in the last four and captain Iain Henderson is suspended.
Experienced hooker Rob Herring will miss the decider after he was forced off early on against Glasgow Warriors on Friday on his return from a calf issue.
Ulster, who have not won a trophy in 20 years, head into the final in Bilbao having missed out on the play-offs in the United Rugby Championship on a dramatic final weekend of the regular season.
Murphy’s side need to win the final to qualify for the Champions Cup next season, otherwise they will have another campaign in Europe’s second tier.
