Ireland Trio Available For Ulster's Urc Return

Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney are each disposable for Ulster's return to United Rugby Championship action connected Friday against Benetton astatine Affidea Stadium (19:45 GMT).

The trio reported backmost for nine work astatine nan conclusion of nan Autumn International Series this week arsenic Richie Murphy's men activity to get backmost to winning ways pursuing their 49-31 conclusion by nan Lions successful South Africa successful precocious October.

There is further bully news connected nan wounded beforehand arsenic Juarno Augustus and Cormac Izuchukwu are backmost successful training pinch their advancement to beryllium monitored this week.

Augustus suffered an limb successful assemblage successful nan 34-26 triumph complete nan Lions successful nan first limb of Ulster's South Africa circuit past period and missed retired connected nan Lions game.

Izuchukwu sustained a ft wounded successful Ulster's past location crippled successful nan URC - a 28-7 triumph complete nan Bulls - and missed retired connected nan travel to South Africa positive Ireland's November internationals, but could return this week.

That news is tempered by confirmation that Ben Carson and Michael Lowry will miss retired this week pinch Carson sustaining a hamstring wounded successful Ulster A's triumph complete nan Connacht Eagles past Friday, while Lowry suffered an ankle successful assemblage successful nan Ireland XV triumph against Spain 3 weeks ago.

Stuart McCloskey is besides retired owed to nan groin wounded picked up successful Ireland's conclusion by New Zealand successful Chicago, joining Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee) connected nan sideline.