Losing Ireland cohort 'a bit disruptive' for Ulster

Jacob Stockdale, Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney all started Ulster's win over the Sharks before departing for international duty

Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon says beating the Lions in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game (12:45 BST) would be a "huge statement" after losing the squad's Ireland contingent.

The in-form Irish province, who have started the URC season with a hat-trick of bonus-point wins, go into this weekend's contest at Ellis Park without Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Iain Henderson and Nick Timoney, who have left for international duty before next week's Test against New Zealand in Chicago.

All four started Ulster's impressive 34-26 win over the Sharks in Durban last week and Faloon admits losing four players of their calibre in the middle of a South African tour has been less than ideal.

"A little bit disruptive," he said when asked about the departures following the Sharks game.

"We've had some players come out to bolster our numbers but we're probably down a couple and then you're losing four lads who have lots of IQ and are big leaders around the group as well, so it is disruptive, but I think the lads have been going well."

Faloon added: "It'd be a statement for our squad. To lose the four guys that we have, for our squad to step up and deliver a performance as good would be a huge statement."

Faloon says Cormac Izuchukwu has sustained a "small fracture" in his foot and is unsure when the forward will be back

Ulster are also without flanker Sean Reffell and Ireland international Cormac Izuchukwu - who Faloon revealed has sustained a "small fracture" in his foot - but they remain hopeful that Juarno Augustus will feature on Saturday.

The South African number eight was withdrawn at half-time against the Sharks with an arm injury, but Faloon says he has not yet been ruled out.

"We're still monitoring him. He's played a little bit of a role in training this week. We're just going to see how he goes come Saturday," he said of the summer signing.

Having seen off a Sharks team loaded with Springboks last time out, Ulster must become acclimatised to the heat and altitude as they look to go two from two on their South African tour and sign off for the autumn break with a fourth straight win.

"It's a huge task. We're under no illusions there. We know what's going to face us in the Lions with the heat and altitude.

"It would be a brilliant return for us."