Injury improvement for Topping

A Ballymena official has confirmed that former Irish international James Topping's injury, sustained in a club game on Saturday, is much less severe than its original diagnosis.

The initial news that the 29-year-old had indeed broken his leg, shipping a bad tackle against Belfast Harlequins, was dismissed by the club on further inspection.

"We believe that James has broken his fibula - between the ankle and knee," said the Eaton Park official.

"He is in a plaster at present, which will come off in six weeks. Hopefully he will be back playing a few weeks after that."

The winger is definitely ruled out of Ulster coach Mark McCall's plans for the province's opening two Heineken Cup Pool 6 ties against Cardiff Blues and Gloucester.

Meanwhile, Ballymena's 24-7 win over 'Quins ended in controversy at the weekend as six players were sin-binned in the controversial league clash.

Ballymena spokesman Jonathan Millar said that club would not be citing anyone over Topping's injury incident, due to the lack of video evidence.

Opposing team managers were forced to operate as touch judges in the fixture, and Millar feels it's high time for official referees to man the lines in Ulster Senior League games.