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Ulster rocked by injuries to key players ahead of visit of Toulouse
By Online Editors
Ulster will have to plan without a number of key players for Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup game against Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium after the province released a fresh injury update today. Andy Farrell's Ireland squad are returning to their provinces this week ahead of the new European season, which kicks-off on Friday night, but there's bad news for Ulster head coach Dan McFarland as some of his senior players have returned to Belfast nursing injuries.
Ulster have confirmed that captain Iain Henderson is due to see a knee specialist after coming off injured during the first half of Ireland's defeat of Scotland on Saturday, and will miss Friday's game against Toulouse as a result.
Henderson's absence represents a major blow for Ulster, who have reached the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup in the last two seasons, as they are also without fellow second-row Kieran Treadwell due to suspension.
Out-half Billy Burns, who recently won his first international cap, will also be sidelined as he recovers from a groin injury.
Meanwhile Rob Lyttle suffered a back injury in Ulster's game against Edinburgh last week and will also be unavailable for selection this week.
McFarland is also without Louis Ludik (concussion), Luke Marshall (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Will Addison (back), Angus Curtis (knee) and Tom Stewart (hamstring).
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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