Ulster crisis as injured quintet set to miss Scarlets return

Ulster’s injury list grows by the week, with five players from last Saturday’s Champions Cup squad against the Scarlets likely to be sidelined for the return Pool 3 clash at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

Both Ireland international Stuart Olding and Springbok Franco van der Merwe suffered concussion in the 14-9 win at the Kingspan and will follow the graduated return to play protocols. Wiehahn Herbst and Nick Williams suffered hamstring injuries which saw them limping off in the second half. They were due to undergo MRI scans last night but it is highly unlikely they will be available for the weekend.

Centre Stuart McCloskey suffered an elbow ligament injury and is awaiting specialist advice on how long he will be sidelined.