Ulster injury update ahead of Munster clash

Ulster are sweating on a host of frontliners ahead of Friday night's URC clash with Munster at Kingspan Stadium.

Head coach Richie Murphy is counting the cost of a damaging opening two rounds in the Champions Cup, with over 100 points conceded against Top 14 giants Toulouse and Bordeaux Begles and an extended injury list.

Skipper Iain Henderson, new Ireland cap Cormac Izuchukwu, out-half Aidan Morgan and Ireland back row Nick Timoney, plus winger Werner Kok and utility half-back Nathan Doak are all being monitored after picking up injuries on Saturday.

Also doubtful are Ben Carson and Stewart Moore, who were both injured the previous weekend in Toulouse.

In a welcome piece of good news for Murphy, John Cooney has resumed full training and is available for selection.

Meanwhile, Craig Casey will undergo knee surgery this week and is a big doubt for the start of the Six Nations.

Munster have confirmed that the in-form scrum-half, who was forced off in Friday's Champions Cup defeat in Castres, has suffered a meniscus injury.

Casey is definitely looking at over a month out of action, potentially more, and with Ireland hosting England in their championship opener on February 1 it is clear that the Limerick man is facing a race against time to be fit for that game.

Casey has performed well for Munster in recent weeks and finished the November series strongly after he was disappointed to be left out of Ireland's squad for the Autumn Series opener against New Zealand.

With Conor Murray still unavailable due to an elbow injury, Munster's interim head coach will turn to Paddy Patterson for Friday's URC clash against Ulster.