Ulster could have Ireland international hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart available for Friday’s Champions Cup clash with the Exeter Chiefs in what would be a significant boost for Richie Murphy’s side.
The pair have returned to full training and might be available for selection for Friday’s concluding pool game at Ravenhill, which Ulster have to win with a bonus point if they are to stand any chance of reaching the knockouts.
The province have been ably served by veteran John Andrew and up-and-coming prospect James McCormick, who have taken on the lion’s share of minutes in the pair’s absence, Stewart having missed the entire season thus far and Herring making fleeting appearances.
But having their top two options in the front row back at their disposal would help their bid against the struggling Chiefs, as well as providing Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby with more options for the Six Nations.
However, there has been a grim update on full-back Ethan McIlroy, who was helped off in the first half of their defeat to the Leicester Tigers at the weekend with a knee injury and will now see a specialist to determine how bad it is.
McIlroy has had little luck with injuries, with a significant facial injury in late 2023 ruling him out for a lengthy period of time, while he has been in and out of the medical room at Ravenhill this season with various injuries.
His absence has been compounded by the further loss of winger Zac Ward, who failed a head injury assessment in the second half of the game at Welford Road and will now go through the return to play protocols, which will rule him out of Friday’s game.
Fortunately for Murphy, McIlroy and Ward’s absence could be mitigated somewhat by the returns of Michael Lowry and Stewart Moore, who have both returned to full training and could feature against Exeter.
Lowry missed the trip to Leicester with a thigh injury, while Moore had been sidelined with a similar problem, however both may be called upon for Friday’s game which, should Ulster win, would guarantee them at least Challenge Cup knockout rugby in April.