Rob Baloucoune set to miss rest of Ulster's season with elbow injury

Ireland's Rob Baloucoune leaves the field. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Ulster and Ireland winger Rob Baloucoune is to undergo surgery on the elbow injury he suffered in the Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Baloucoune - who was named the tournament's Rising Player after scoring three tries - is now set to miss the remainder of Ulster's season, with the province - who currently sit third in the URC table - putting an approximate three-month timeline on his recovery. 

"Ulster Rugby can confirm that Rob Baloucoune sustained an elbow injury in Ireland's win over Scotland last weekend," a statement read. "He will undergo surgery and is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months.

"Wishing you a speedy recovery, Rob."

Having enjoyed his best spell in green after several years blighted by injury, the 28-year-old will now target a return for Ireland's Nations Championship clash with Australia in Sydney on July 4. 

Andy Farrell's side will face Japan a week later before travelling to take on the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 18.

Meanwhile, Ulster and Connacht have welcomed back several internationals for their URC Interpro clash at Affidea Stadium on Friday night.

Jacob Stockdale will wear 13 for Richie Murphy's Ulster with Stuart McCloskey on a mandatory rest week post-Six Nations, and both James Hume and Jude Poslethwaite out injured.

Tom Stewart and captain Iain Henderson return to the starting lineup, as does Nathan Doak, while Tom O'Toole is named among the replacements.

Stuart Lancaster is able to call on five of the Ireland squad for the clash, with Bundee Aki included in the Connacht midfield. 

Aki joins Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast, Finlay Bealham, and Billy Bohan in returning to the starting 15.

Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jacob Stockdale, Ben Carson, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson; Iain Henderson (capt), Joe Hopes; David McCann, Marcus Rea, Juarno Augustus. 

Replacements: Rob Herring, Sam Crean, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jonny Scott, Ethan McIlroy.

Connacht: Seán Naughton; Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; Jack Carty, Colm Reilly; Billy Bohan, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (capt), Sean Jansen. 

Replacements: Matthew Victory, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Ben Murphy, Josh Ioane, John Devine.