O'Toole's six-game ban 'is what it is' - Murphy

Ulster prop Tom O'Toole will miss Ireland's opening two Six Nations matches

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says the six-game suspension handed to prop Tom O'Toole "is what it is".

O'Toole, 26, was sent off for a dangerous clearout on centre Alex Nankivell during Ulster's 22-19 defeat by Munster in December.

The Ireland international will miss the Six Nations matches with England and Scotland along with Ulster's next two European fixtures.

"Tom is bitterly disappointed as are we," said Murphy.

"It's really difficult. There's a process, we have to trust the process for them to go through."

After the match in Belfast, Murphy said he did though it was a "tough call" to dismiss O'Toole but his side will push on.

Having already sat out Ulster's win over Connacht, O'Toole will miss Ulster's crucial Champions Cup games with Leicester and Exeter Chiefs, and their United Rugby Championship game with Zebre.

O'Toole, who featured in three of Ireland's autumn internationals, will also be suspended for February's opening Six Nations matches at home to England and away to Scotland.

"I don't think it was a malicious act but we're also conscious that a player's got injured in the process and it is what it is," Murphy added.

"Tom has accepted the sanction and we're going to try and move on from there."

'Nobody probably gives us a chance'

Ulster's victory over Connacht ended a run of five defeats in a row after a difficult run of form.

That run included two heavy losses in Europe at the hands of Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Leicester lost their European opener to Bordeaux before bouncing back with a big win over South African side Sharks.

The Welford Road side are fourth in the Premiership with six wins in 10 matches.

Murphy admitted: "We're going there and nobody probably gives us a chance.

"If we want to stay in the competition we need to win our last two games.

"Leicester is a very difficult place to go. They have a massive pack and set piece, and their big back three are all very talented in the air.

"There is a massive test coming in regards to that but we are going there with confidence.

"We want to try and put our game out in front of them and see where we get to."