O'Toole to make Ulster return against Benetton

Tom O'Toole has not played since his red card against Munster on 20 December

Ireland prop Tom O'Toole is available for Ulster's United Rugby Championship (URC) trip to Benetton on Saturday after serving a six-game suspension.

O'Toole, 26, was sent off for a dangerous clearout on Alex Nankivell during his province's 22-19 defeat by Munster in December and missed four Ulster fixtures, as well as the opening two rounds of Ireland's Six Nations campaign.

"He's been brilliant, he's been making some real progress this season," said Ulster's forwards coach Jimmy Duffy.

"He's asserting himself as a real leader in the group. It's brilliant to have him back, he'd been in a great space prior to getting the little lay-off."

Fellow Irish internationals Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey and James Hume all came through their returns from injury in last week's 38-31 friendly defeat to Queensland Reds and bolster head coach Richie Murphy's options for the visit to the Stadio Monigo.

Andrew Warwick and Eric O'Sullivan both picked up knocks last week however, leaving Ulster potentially short of options at loose-head prop.

Hooker Tom Stewart is also a doubt with a hamstring issue.

Duffy said the side are awaiting scan results on a number of injuries, as well as news of whether Irish internationals Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu and Rob Herring will be released from Ireland's Six Nations squad to feature.

Ulster are ninth in the URC and will be in action for the first time since losing to Zebre at home last month.

"We know the journey we're on. It's probably not nice if you're a fan waiting for this stuff to come to fruition but the lads are working really hard," Duffy said.

"It is a young group, which we've said numerous times. That will take time.

"They've shown in some big games that they're capable of it but consistency is what we're chasing at the moment. We've shown big performances but it's backing it up week to week."