Ulster have suffered a double injury setback as Stephen Kitshoff is out for the season with an injury and James Hume also suffered a “significant knee injury”.
South African prop Kitzhoff suffered a knee problem in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Clermont Auvergne and, following tests and expert opinion, it was determined that he had played his last game for the club.
In early April, it was announced that Kitshoff would be leaving County Ireland at the end of the campaign, with the 32-year-old returning to the Stormers.
The two-time World Cup-winning forward will return to his home country this week to see a knee specialist to determine a treatment plan.
Center Hume sustained the injury in Friday's game against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship and will see a specialist knee surgeon this week.
Jake Flannery (thigh), Tom O'Toole (ankle) and Nathan Doak (groin) were also injured in the win over the Welsh side and will miss Friday's game against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium. Whether he is selected will be monitored throughout this week.
“Friday night cost us a lot.”
“We've had a few injuries as a result of Friday night,” Ulster defense coach Jonny Bell said at the province's press conference on Tuesday.
“We are disappointed in James.” [Hume] We also wish Stephen a speedy recovery. [Kitshoff] He injured his MCL and that's the end of his time with us.
“Tom [O’Toole] There was an explosion, so I hope it's short-term, hopefully a few weeks, I don't know exactly, but the medical staff will get it back on track.
“Jake [Flannery]I don't know about this either, but it could take a few weeks, or it could take a little longer.
“Quite a few injuries have hurt us, but we'll just deal with it with a great group.”
Ulster go into the game in 10th place in the URC table, with Benetton three points behind their fifth-placed Italian opponents. Both teams will be aiming for a top-eight spot to secure a spot in the season-ending playoffs.
Ulster have won two of their five games so far under interim head coach Richie Murphy, whose son Jack is a fly-half for Ireland Under-20s and is rumored to be linked with a move to the Northern Province. He is one of Leinster's young players. .
“I don't know anything about that. You're talking to the wrong guy,” Bell said.
“We don't know what the hiring process is or who they're looking at. We can't provide information on that.”
