Piutau To Miss Ulster’s Treviso Test

Paul Marshall suffered a rib cartilage injury in the 29-8 win over the Dragons last Friday. He is likely to return to play later this month. Craig Gilroy suffered concussion in the same game and continues to follow the return-to-play guidelines.

Charles Piutau suffered a minor thumb injury in training this week. He will sit out the match against Benetton Treviso and should be available for selection next week.

Three players are unavailable due to injuries picked up during the province’s pre-season fixtures. Jonny Simpson suffered a high ankle sprain in the defeat away to Exeter Chiefs and should be available for selection in October.

Meanwhile, Mark Best suffered a haematoma in his right thigh in the Ulster ‘A’ v Canada ‘A’ game. He is estimated to return to play within two weeks.

Dave Shanahan picked up a sternoclavicular joint injury during the home victory over Northampton Saints. He will return to play in two to three weeks.

Several other players are still recovering from mid or long-term injuries, including Chris Henry and Wiehahn Herbst who are rehabbing well following their respective shoulder and groin surgeries. Both players are likely to return to action within the next eight weeks.

Ricky Lutton and Johnny Murphy are currently unavailable due to groin injuries but should return to play within the next month.

Both Dan Tuohy and Tommy Bowe are entering the final stages of their rehab following their respective ankle (right) and knee (right) injuries. It is hoped that both players will be available for selection within the next four to six weeks.

Peter Nelson continues to progress his rehab following surgery on the left mid foot injury (he picked up against Edinburgh last December). As yet, no return to play date has been set.

New signing Marcell Coetzee continues to rehab following successful knee surgery. He is expected to make his Ulster debut in January 2017.

Meanwhile, in the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy, Conall Boomer exacerbated a shoulder injury against the Leinster Academy last Friday, and is awaiting surgical opinion on the extent of the injury.

David Busby picked up a flexor tendon injury in his left hand at training this week. He has had surgery and is expected to return to play within the next six to seven weeks.

Rory Butler suffered a concussion in the Ulster ‘A’ victory over Canada ‘A’ on August 26, and is following the return-to-play guidelines.

Jack Owens underwent knee surgery following injury on August 21 and is continuing his rehab with an estimated return to play in the next six to eight weeks.