Ulster have been dealt a serious injury blow after the province confirmed Ben Moxham suffered an ACL tear during their inter-provincial defeat to Leinster on November 29.
Moxham is expected to be out of action for nine months as a result of the injury to his right knee and is therefore set to miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
The 23-year-old from Larne is a graduate of Ulster’s player pathway and it was announced following the 27-20 United Rugby Championship reverse to Leinster at Ravenhill that he would be seeing a knee surgeon following a ‘significant’ knee injury.
The full extent of that injury has now been realised ahead of Ulster’s Champions Cup clash at home to Bordeaux Bègles on Saturday, and it means Moxham – who has made 33 senior Ulster appearances since his debut in December 2020 – must spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“It has been confirmed that Ben Moxham suffered an ACL tear of his right knee in the recent URC defeat to Leinster,” the province stated.
“He will have surgery next week, and his estimated return to play time is nine months.”
Meanwhile, John Cooney (hamstring) could be fit to face the French giants after also going off injured against Leinster, while Stewart Moore and Ben Carson are both being monitored after suffering soft tissue contusions during Ulster’s 61-21 defeat in Toulouse on Sunday.
Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), Jacob Stockdale (hamstring), Ethan McIlroy (ankle), Sean Reffell (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee) and Tom Stewart (ankle) are all listed as out for the Bordeaux clash.