Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper has taken a swipe at the officials in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship win over Connacht after Iain Henderson’s injury.
The captain was withdrawn for a head injury assessment in the first-half of the game at Ravenhill following a heavy hit that wasn’t looked at by the officials, including the TMO, and subsequently failed the test.
That has ruled him out of Friday night’s clash with Welsh side the Ospreys in Belfast, and Soper was less than impressed with the way the incident was handled by Andrew Brace and his team.
“My thoughts initially were it didn’t look great, did it? But everyone’s had a good look and we all have our opinions on it. The decision was made at the time, it is what it is,” said Soper.
“We’re trying to keep the game safer, but it wasn’t quite the case on Saturday night, was it?”
Ulster are facing a significant injury list ahead of the visit of the Ospreys, with centre Stewart Moore having also been ruled out with a sterno-clavicular joint issue, while fellow midfielder Jude Postlethwaite (shoulder) is a doubt as is full-back Ethan McIlroy (ankle).
However, there could be a return for Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey, who is nearing recovery from a right ankle and knee injury.