'Tuipulotu loss may tip game in Ireland's favour'

When Stuart McCloskey suffered a "decent enough" hamstring tear against Munster in December, just a few weeks out from the Ireland squad announcement, he knew the Six Nations was going to come too soon for him.

The timing was far from ideal, especially given McCloskey's ongoing attempts to reclaim a Test starting spot.

But after seven weeks on the sidelines, the 32-year-old centre is available again for Ulster and will feature in Friday's friendly at home to Queensland Reds.

McCloskey retains hope that he may he get a call from Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby during the Six Nations and he will be an interested spectator on Sunday when the holders face Scotland at Murrayfield.

"I think we've had, touch wood, the number over Scotland over the last few years and I think [Sione] Tuipulotu being out for Scotland as well is going to be massive," said McCloskey.

"So that I think hopefully tips it in our favour."

He added: "He's probably the form 12 in Europe, if not the world, over the last six months or so.

"Losing a guy like that, a guy that a lot of their shape goes around as well, I think he takes a lot of pressure off Finn Russell.

"Losing a guy like that is always going to affect your team, especially when he's such a fulcrum for what they do in attack."

McCloskey's return is part of a triple boost for Ulster boss Richie Murphy, who also welcomes back Jacob Stockdale and James Hume, the latter having spent 10 months out with a knee injury.

Now 32, he will be one of the most experienced heads in an experimental Ulster side facing a Reds outfit packed with Wallabies experience on Friday.

The Reds are now coached by former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss and McCloskey smiled when asked about catching up with his former boss on Friday.

"Strangely, he messaged me on LinkedIn about six months ago saying, 'I probably won't see you when you're at this game', but it looks like I am,  so it'll be good to have a beer with him after."