Ulster

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Ulster's Ben Carson and Stewart Moore are doubts for Saturday's Investec Champions Cup pool game with Bordeaux (15:15 GMT), but John Cooney could return.

In a squad update on Tuesday, the club said full-back Moore and centre Carson, suffered soft tissue contusions as they were forced off in the first half of Sunday's heavy defeat by Toulouse.

Scrum-half Cooney, who has been linked with a move away from Ulster, missed the Toulouse game with a hamstring issue.

However, the 34-year-old has resumed training and will be monitored before Bordeaux's visit to Kingspan Stadium.

Ulster have also confirmed wing Ben Moxham is set to miss the remainder of the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in the United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster on 29 November.

Last week, head coach Richie Murphy said the 23-year-old was set to see a knee surgeon and the club has confirmed he is expected to spend nine months on the sidelines.

Head coach Richie Murphy is already without Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), Jacob Stockdale (hamstring), Ethan McIlroy (ankle), Sean Reffell (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee) and Tom Stewart (ankle).

Having been hammered 61-21 by holders Toulouse, Ulster are hoping to bounce back at home to Bordeaux, who are second in the France's Top 14 league.

Bordeaux opened their European campaign with an impressive 42-28 win over Leicester on Sunday.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said his side's basics were not at the level required for the challenge of a "European juggernaut" after they suffered a heavy defeat in Toulouse.

The visitors shipped nine tries in their Champions Cup opener at the Stade Ernest-Wallon and were beaten 61-21 by the holders.

"Very tough," said Murphy of the experience.

"Conceding 61 points wasn't part of the plan. A lot of our basics weren't at the level they needed to be.

"Some of our defence and our breakdown just wasn't at the level we needed."

Ulster have won just two of their past 11 games in the Champions Cup and have conceded at least 30 points in eight of those fixtures.

Murphy said it is important for his squad to continue to focus on gradual improvement.

"We also need to be careful that we don't listen to too much stuff that's happening outside.

"We have to concentrate on our own game and make sure that we're getting better.

"We've shown signs that we're improving all through the season from where we were last year and we've run into a European juggernaut and we weren't at the races."

Ulster face another of the competition's favourites, Bordeaux-Begles, back in Belfast on Saturday.

"Obviously we're disappointed, the players are disappointed," Murphy added.

"We don't go out there to get those basic errors wrong.

"You start there and you work towards getting a performance in six days' time against Bordeaux."

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Ulster open their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a daunting trip to holders and six-time champions Toulouse on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

On Tuesday, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy spoke to reporters. Here's a breakdown of some of what he spoke about.

On Ulster's progress against his expectations:

"It's probably slightly below where we wanted to be. We've had a tough run of games as well, we've played the top three teams in the league at the moment and been in South Africa in the Highveld.

"Between the Cardiff and Leinster games, we probably should be at least one better but we're a young side and we're going to have ups and downs."

On facing a star-studded Toulouse:

"Excitement? Maybe. Fear? Probably a little bit. You look at their team, they're two or three deep international wise in nearly every position.

"But there are things in their team that you look at and think there are opportunities. It's whether you can be good enough to take that."

On Zac Ward's fitness and future:

"Zac is back fit. He has passed all the return to play protocols for this weekend. Zac is progressing well, obviously he had never played on the wing before coming in with us. Coming in from the Sevens he has shown some really good growth over the last number of weeks.

"Zac is on an IRFU contract at the moment. We are in conversations with him about going forward from here."

"We're positive about his progress and over the next number of weeks we might see him out there in a white jersey."

On whether Ulster need a 'medical joker' to solve back-three injury problems:

"No, not at the moment. We've brought Rob Lyttle [former Ulster wing] back in for a couple of weeks. We'll see how that progresses. We also have a few academy players who we want to try and bring through. Between them, we're actually OK.

"If someone else were to get injured, that could become an issue then."

On Ulster's Irish internationals being in the mix for Sunday:

"The internationals all returned to training yesterday (Monday). They obviously haven't been with us for five weeks. Cormac Izuchukwu, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Stuart McCloskey have all returned from international camp.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says the club do not want to see Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney leave, but added the "group will move on without" any player who departs.

Reports in France have linked Ireland wing Stockdale and scrum-half John Cooney, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the season, with moves to the Top 14.

Stockdale, 28, has worked his way back into the Ireland set-up recently, starting the November Test win over Fiji.

Cooney, 34, has been a key player for Ulster since joining the club from Connacht in 2017. However, he won the last of his 11 Ireland caps in the 2020 Six Nations.

"They've both been brilliant players," said Murphy in a news conference ahead of Ulster's Investec Champions Cup trip to Toulouse on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

"At this time of year, with players off contract, there's always going to be conversations about those things.

"We don't want to see them go. It's like anything, if people decide to move on, well the group here will move on without them.

"We're trying to build something here going forward over the next number of years, hopefully the guys might want to be a part of that."

Both Cooney and Stockdale are injured and will play no part in Ulster's game at Champions Cup holders Toulouse.

Listen to Toulouse v Ulster on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster from 15:00 GMT on Sunday

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy admitted his side will need "to come up with a solution" to select a back-three for their Champions Cup opener against holders Toulouse next week.

Jacob Stockdale suffered a "significant" hamstring injury on Ireland duty last weekend, Robert Baloucoune is yet to play this season, and Aaron Sexton has departed to seek a career in the NFL.

Then, in their 27-20 loss to Leinster on Friday night, the northern province were forced into playing four different players on the left wing over the course of 80 minutes.

South African Werner Kok started in the number 11 jersey but failed a head injury assessment [HIA], while his replacement Ben Moxham left the field looking in some distress with a knee injury.

That saw scrum-half John Cooney pressed into emergency action on the wing and, after he hobbled off late on, back-row Nick Timoney filled in to finish the game.

Travelling to the Stade Ernest-Wallon next week, Murphy is short of options.

"Disappointing obviously and the problem now is we've got a shortage around our back-three," said the head coach of the injuries.

"We're going to have to come up with a solution and see what that looks like next week."

On Stockdale's injury sustained against Fiji last week, Murphy said the winger would be out for a "good few weeks".

"Don't know how long he's going to be out for at the moment but it's not a short-term thing," he added.

"I don't know how long it is, but I know it's not a case of getting him back in a week or two.

"He's had a significant hamstring injury and it's a matter probably of a good few weeks but I haven't heard an actual time on that yet."

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Ulster return to action on Friday evening when they host Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (19:35 GMT). The game will be shown live on BBC Two Northern Ireland, the iPlayer, website and app.

Before the match, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy spoke to BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews.

Busy upcoming schedule against top teams:

"I think the lads are excited. I think everyone knows what we are getting into. Facing teams like Leinster, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Munster and obviously Connacht on the back end of that, but also some very tight turnarounds involved.

"We know what’s coming, we know our squad depth is going to be tested. We are also carrying a few injuries at the moment but we are working hard to be the very best we can be on those particular nights."

Cormac Izuchukwu’s Ireland debut against Fiji:

"Delighted for Izzy to get his first cap – he’s been in a fair few camps over the last nine months – when you’re in there you can feel the relief of a player when he gets his first cap. Let’s hope he can kick on."

Ireland internationals returning to Ulster:

"You just want them to come back with an energy and enthusiasm for what we’re doing here."

On facing Leinster:

"Leinster at this moment are definitely the top team in our league. They’ve won six from six – they’re conceding very few points this year and they’re probably a different Leinster to what we have seen previously.

"It’s hard to pick holes in how they defend, so lots of pressure in and around the breakdown, lots of pressure at set-piece, both scrum and lineout.

"We’ll have to be very clever in relation to how we use the ball and we also need I suppose the ref to be strong in those areas.

"It’s definitely a good time to play them because they’re missing maybe 18 players but with the 18 players they’re missing they just replace them with very, very good players."

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Ulster's Ireland hooker Tom Stewart is in line to make his first appearance of the season for the province after being named in the replacements for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster at Kingspan Stadium.

Stewart has been out of action so far this season because of an ankle injury.

Prop Scott Wilson will make his first start of the campaign as he is named in place of the Ireland-tied Tom O'Toole in one of five changes to the starting line-up from the defeat by Cardiff a month ago.

On that occasion, Ulster squandered a 19-0 half-time lead as they lost 21-19.

Stewart Moore takes over at full-back from Ethan McIlroy while Ben Carson is drafted in at centre, with Stuart McCloskey unavailable because of his commitments with the Ireland squad.

With Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu both on Ireland duty, Alan O'Connor returns to the second row and will skipper the side while James McNabney is handed a back-row start.

Wing Zac Ward is unavailable after being concussed in Ulster's A game against their Connacht counterparts last weekend while coach Richie Murphy is also without Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee), Ethan McIlroy (ankle) and Sean Reffell (ankle).

Leaders Leinster make 11 changes from their last outing against the Lions but are still able to include Ireland internationals Jack Conan, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O'Brien, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Will Connors and Max Deegan.

Leinster's bench includes Springboks star RG Snyman, Scott Penny and the second of their Byrne fly-half brothers Harry, who is also an Ireland international.

Leo Cullen's side lead the United Rugby Championship table by six points after their six opening wins while Ulster are 13 points off the pace in seventh spot after mixing three wins with three defeats.

Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (capt)

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny,

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Ulster wing Zac Ward has been ruled out of Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster (19:35 GMT), but Tom Stewart is in line to return.

Ireland Sevens player Ward, who joined Ulster on a trial basis after the Olympics, sustained a concussion in Ulster A's game against Connacht Eagles last week.

Ben Moxham is a doubt for Friday's game after injuring his hamstring in the same fixture, while Jacob Stockdale (hamstring) is also out after being forced off during Ireland's win over Fiji last weekend.

However, Ireland hooker Stewart is on track for his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle injury.

Centre Stewart Moore is also available for selection, as is back row Nick Timoney, who has been released from the Ireland squad.

Ulster are also without Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee), Ethan McIlroy (ankle) and Sean Reffell (ankle).

The URC returns from its four-week international break. Ulster lost to Cardiff in their last outing before the break while Leinster travel to Belfast having won all six games this season.

Leo Cullen's side are without their Ireland internationals but this week welcomed Jack Conan, Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O'Brien back to full training.

Watch Ulster v Leinster on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 19:15 GMT.

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Ulster have signed Northampton Saints number eight Juarno Augustus on a three-year deal from next summer.

The 26-year-old South African helped Northampton win the Premiership title last season after joining the club from Western Province in 2021.

A former South Africa Under-20 international, Augustus was named 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year after finishing that year's World Rugby Under-20 Championship as top try-scorer.

"I'm very excited to sign for such a historic club in Ulster Rugby. From my conversations, I believe in the project and can see the potential," said Augustus, who also previously played for the Stormers.

"It's exciting to be a part of that and I look forward to meeting my new coaches and team-mates in Belfast next summer. I have heard about the proud history of the province with South African players, so I will hopefully feel right at home."

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said acquiring Augustus was a "statement of where we want to get to".

"He's a top-class player," said Murphy.

"He's 26, he's in his prime, he's been a very effective ball-carrier in the Premiership over the last couple of seasons so we're delighted to get him here."

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham said: "He has shown with Northampton Saints that he is a huge physical presence in the back row, with fantastic ball-carrying and a destructive threat around the breakdown.

"The modern game is so much about having a point of difference, particularly in explosiveness, and Juarno certainly has this."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the Aviva Stadium

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that wing Jacob Stockdale injured his hamstring in Saturday's 52-17 win over Fiji.

Stockdale was forced off in the 49th minute after pulling up following a tackle.

The 28-year-old was making his first Ireland appearance in 15 months after an impressive run of form for Ulster.

The injury will be a worry for Ulster, who begin their European Champions Cup campaign away to Toulouse on 8 December.

"He pulled up sharply with his hamstring," Farrell said on Stockdale, who was seen at full-time with a bag of ice on his right hamstring.

"We'll have to see how that is, but he pulled up quite sharp, so I was gutted for him."

Farrell also said that full-back Jamie Osborne sustained an abductor injury in the first half of the win at the Aviva Stadium.

"He couldn't carry on so that doesn't look right at the minute," added Farrell.

Ireland take on Australia in their final autumn international at the Aviva Stadium on 30 November.

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Ireland internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have signed contract extensions with Ulster.

Henderson's new deal means the Ulster captain will move off his central Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] contract at the end of the season and on to a provincial deal until 2027.

Herring's new deal will keep the hooker at the Belfast-based club until 2026.

Henderson, who has won 82 Ireland caps, said he feels "energised" about continuing to lead Ulster, who are in their first full season under head coach Richie Murphy.

"We are building a team with a new core of players coming through the ranks and I believe there is the talent and experience to drive us forward," said five-time Six Nations winner Henderson.

"As a proud Ulsterman, I love playing for the club and I'm excited for us going forward."

Second row Henderson, 32, has won 150 Ulster caps after making his debut in 2012.

In addition to his success with Ireland, he is a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist, having been selected for the 2017 and 2021 squads.

Herring, the province's most-capped player, said he was "delighted" to agree a new deal with Ulster as "Belfast feels like home to me".

"It's always an honour to wear the jersey and I'm enjoying my role as one of the experienced players in an exciting young squad," said the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam winner.

"I look forward to competing on the pitch but also helping the next generation come through.

"There's a lot of excitement around the squad at the moment and hopefully plenty more special days ahead."

Earlier this week, Ulster centre Stewart Moore signed a contract extension until 2027.

Ulster return to action on 29 November when they host Leinster in the United Rugby Championship, their first game in a month because of the autumn internationals.