Following surgery on his toe, Ireland lock Ian Henderson will not play in the forthcoming series against world champions South Africa.
Due to an injury, the 32-year-old Ulster captain has not been able to play in recent weeks; however, Ulster has now clarified the player’s prognosis. He had surgery on Monday and will now be out for three months.
Andy Farrell will now have to make do without the British & Irish Lion when Ireland takes on the Springboks in a two-match series in July.
The fact that James Ryan, another Irish second-row, has resumed training for Leinster this week and is ready to play in their campaign’s finale is encouraging for Farrell.
With games against Munster and Leinster still to come, along with possible play-off matches, Henderson, for his part, will certainly not be playing any further for Ulster this season.
James Hume, the Ireland centre, had surgery on Monday for a knee injury; Ulster confirmed in their injury report that Hume will be out for the “coming months” as well.
Due to injuries sustained during training, Rob Baloucoune and Luke Marshall will also be missing this weekend’s Kingspan Stadium match against Leinster.
