Champions Cup: Henderson and Lyttle join Ulster absentees for Toulouse game

Iain Henderson was injured in Ireland's win over Scotland on Saturday

Iain Henderson and Rob Lyttle have been added to an already lengthy list of Ulster absentees for Friday's European Champions Cup opener against Toulouse.

Ulster said on Monday that Henderson would see a knee specialist this week after being injured in Ireland's win over Scotland on Saturday.

In a later news conference, Ulster coach Dan McFarland said Henderson's injury "won't be a quick turnaround".

Wing Lyttle is also ruled out of the home game because of a back problem.

The Ulster back sustained his injury in the province's last Pro14 game against Edinburgh.

The duo join Ireland fly-half Billy Burns (groin), Louis Ludik (concussion), Luke Marshall (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Will Addison (back), Angus Curtis (knee) and Tom Stewart (hamstring) on the current injured list.

"Iain is a talismanic figure for us, he's out club captain and a big-game player - it is a big loss for us," added McFarland.

"Alan O'Connor and have been doing a tremendous job in the engine room and we'll continue with that.

"To lose your captain, then lose you 10 (Billy Burns) as well, it's a difficult one but again we've played a number of games over the last while and played pretty well, albeit not at the same level to what we'll face on Saturday.

"The guys that have been playing since Billy's been with Ireland have been doing a great job and we'll be happy to trust in them."