Ulster have been dealt a massive setback ahead of Friday night’s Vodacom URC derby against Munster, with Juarno Augustus ruled out of the clash.
The loose forward suffered what Ulster have described as a “significant” ankle ligament injury during last weekend’s 29-24 win over Connacht in Galway.
Augustus was forced off midway through the second half and has already been ruled out of the clash with Munster in Belfast.
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Head coach Richie Murphy confirmed the extent of the setback, with the former Northampton Saints No 8 facing a spell on the sidelines.
“He’s going to see someone about it on Friday,” Murphy told BBC Sport NI. “We’re not sure exactly on the timeline, but yeah we won’t be seeing him over the next couple of weeks. It gives him an opportunity then to retrain himself and get himself nice and fit and come back fighting bigger and stronger hopefully.”
Ulster have, however, received a timely boost on the training ground. Eric O’Sullivan (hamstring), Matthew Dalton (knee), Iain Henderson (back) and Rob Herring (knee) have all returned to full training, with their availability to be determined later in the week.
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Ulster currently sit fifth on the URC log, just three points adrift of second-placed Munster, with Friday’s interprovincial showdown offering a chance to close the gap.
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