Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale both appear to be major injury doubts for Ulster's EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier later this month.
The Ireland internationals are being assessed for injuries picked up in Saturday’s semi-final win against Exeter Chiefs, with just 17 days to go until the decider in Bilbao, where Ulster will be looking to end their 20-year wait for silverware.
McCloskey will have an MRI scan to determine the extent of a hamstring injury he suffered on Saturday, with the 33-year-old definitely ruled out for Friday’s crucial BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Stormers.
Stockdale (below) looks unlikely to be available for the Bilbao decider, with the wing due to see a maxillo-facial surgeon, after Ulster confirmed he suffered a facial fracture in Saturday’s win against the Premiership side.
The province will also be dealing without back row David McCann this week against the Stormers as he gets assessed for a knee injury.
In better news, the province’s front row injury crisis is easing, with Angus Bell (foot), Rob Herring (calf) and Scott Wilson (ankle) all returning to training this week, as Richie Murphy’s side look to consolidate their play-off spot in the URC after back-to-back defeats.
Ulster are just inside the top half of the table, three points ahead of Connacht, but face a difficult run-in with home games against the top two – Stormers and Glasgow – to close out the regular season.
The province will secure Champions Cup rugby for next season if they remain in the URC’s top half, or by winning the Challenge Cup final.
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