Ulster Rugby: Several players set to miss season finale in Edinburgh with injury while 13 self-isolate

Dan McFarland's Ulster had their penultimate game of the season against Scarlets postponed last week

Ulster have reported that seven players will miss Saturday's scheduled Pro14 Rainbow Cup finale against Edinburgh at Murrayfield through injury, while 13 squad members are self-isolating.

The four players who tested positive for Covid-19 last week are currently self-isolating but all four are said to "remain well".

A further nine players have been identified as close contacts from the confirmed cases and are self-isolating in accordance with Public Health guidelines.

All nine have tested negative for coronavirus and if they continue to do so will be available for selection this weekend.

The four who tested positive last week will not feature against Edinburgh.

The players who will be absent through injury are John Cooney (neck), Luke Marshall (knee), Jack McGrath (hip), Eric O'Sullivan (shoulder), Jacob Stockdale (shoulder), Ethan McIlroy (hip) and Cormac Izuchukwu (knee).

Last week's game against Scarlets was called off less than 48 hours before the scheduled kick-off after the confirmation of four Covid-19 cases in the Ulster camp, with the points awarded to Scarlets.

That being the case, Saturday's game in Edinburgh will be the final outing of the season for Dan McFarland's side.

'Down to the bare bones in training'

"We're down to the bare bones in training but as long as the tests continue to be negative we'll be good to go at the weekend and have enough players to be able to play," explained Ulster head coach McFarland.

"The last week has been frustrating, We got so close to the end of the season having played all our games, then we missed the Scarlets game.

"We played well against Leinster despite losing the match and were looking forward to backing that up.

"The players who were close contacts - their 10 days of isolation will end before the game - but whether it is practical for them to play is a decision we have to make. In some cases we might have no choice."

Covid case in Edinburgh camp

There was concern that Ulster may not complete their season on the pitch after Edinburgh announced a positive Covid-19 case in their own squad.

The Scottish club said in a statement: "(Monday) training at the club has been cancelled as a precaution and the entire squad and playing staff were tested early (Monday) morning.

"The club continues to operate an extensive health and safety coronavirus mitigation plan and follow all respective health guidance aligned through Scottish Rugby's Threat Management Group.

"The club's Pro14 match against Ulster at Murrayfield this Saturday (5 June) is still scheduled to go ahead as planned."

Saturday's game is scheduled to kick-off at 17:15 BST.

Ulster are bottom of the table after losses to Leinster, Munster and Connacht.