'Brilliant' to have Baloucoune back fit - Murphy

Ulster's Robert Baloucoune has yet to make an appearance this season

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says Robert Baloucoune is looking "really sharp" as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

The wing, who has four caps for Ireland, has not featured this season because of a hamstring problem with his last outing coming against Benetton in April.

The 27-year-old could make his return in the United Rugby Championship (URC) game against the Stormers at Kingspan Stadium on Friday, a match that will be broadcast live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"It's been a tough year for him, it's more than 11 months that he's been out," said Murphy.

"He's through a couple of weeks training and he's starting to look really sharp.

"It's brilliant to have him back in."

Murphy feels like Baloucoune can be a leader in what is a young group.

"His voice in and around, the changing room, he's quite quiet but when he says something, the lads listen," he added.

"Especially in our backs, where we've a mix of young and old, his experience is vital."

Prop Andy Warwick and hooker Tom Stewart are also available for selection after injuries, but Ulster are still without a number of key personnel including Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Cormac Izuchukwu and Iain Henderson.

Meanwhile prop Sam Crean has returned to Saracens following his short-term loan.

Friday night's game is the last in the URC before attention turns to Europe with Ulster set to face Top 14 power Bordeaux-Begles in the last-16 of the Champions Cup on 6 April.

Sat ninth in the URC table going into this weekend's action, one place and one point behind their opponents in Belfast on Friday, Murphy said there will be no switch of focus.

"We're dealing week to week. It's going to be a massive challenge but the great thing for us is that we play Friday night and we don't play Bordeaux until Sunday," he said.

"It gives us the weekend to have a think about it and really get into it during the week.

"For us, Bordeaux is very much on the backburner. Our league position is the most important thing at the moment."