Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has been left counting the cost of Friday's defeat to Leinster, with more than a quarter of last week’s matchday squad now ruled out due to injury.
Props Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole and Scott Wilson, centres James Hume and Jude Postlethwaite, and back row Bryn Ward will all miss Saturday’s crucial BKT United Rugby Championship derby with Munster at Thomond Park.
All six suffered injuries in Friday's 29-21 defeat to Leinster at Affidea Stadium, and also appear to be major doubts for next week’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, 2 May.
Bell and Hume both departed within the first 10 minutes on Friday night with respective foot and neck injuries, while O’Toole left early in the second half and could be seen on the sidelines with ice strapped to his left hand after the game.
Wilson was the third Ulster prop to pick up an injury during the game, and spent the majority of the second half with a visible limp because of an ankle issue.
Ward, who scored the first Ulster try in their mini second-half comeback, has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury, while Postlethwaite suffered a hand injury.
Nick Timoney, who missed last week’s defeat due to a hip injury, remains sidelined for Saturday’s trip to Thomond Park, while Rob Herring, Robert Baloucoune, James McNabney, Stewart Moore and Rory McGuire are still on the long-term injury list.
Michael Lowry, however, is in contention to return from a groin injury.
Friday’s eight-point defeat to Leinster means Murphy’s side have been sucked right into the congested race to secure a play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification.
Although the province are still fifth in the URC table, they are now just three points clear of ninth-placed Connacht.
Ulster also have one of the toughest set of fixtures remaining, away to Munster this weekend, before hosting the top two, Stormers and Glasgow in their final games.
Follow our live blog on Munster v Ulster in the URC on Saturday from 5.30pm on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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