Chris Henry hoping return for Ulster will alert Ireland boss Joe Schmidt

Ulster’s international flanker Chris Henry will be making a last-ditch effort to be included in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for the remainder of the Six Nations Championship .

Henry, who was first-choice open-side during the 2014 Championship-winning side, was sidelined last season following heart surgery for a mini-stroke on the eve of the November Test against South Africa in the same year. He recovered to play his part in Ireland’s World Cup campaign last year but recently suffered frustration following four weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder problem. The 31-year-old is busting to get into the thick of the action again, starting by wearing the Ulster number seven jersey this Sunday against the Scarlets at the Kingspan Stadium.

“This injury has been a real niggly one,” said the Belfast-born flanker. “I came back a little too early when we played Edinburgh at home then Oyonnax the following week. So, yes on hindsight, I think I came back too soon. Now I’m over the worst and starting to feel that I’ve a normal shoulder again. As a player it’s always frustrating watching games and it’s not very nice.