Ulster’s latest injury update equals bad news for Ireland

Two starting centres fall foul of injury in the space of a week.

Ulster are enjoying a great start to the season but victories have come with a toll. They always seem to in modern rugby. Last week, Ulster announced that Luke Marshall was undergoing return to play protocols after receiving his third concussive blow in just three years. The 25-year-old is hoping to be cleared for action sooner rather than later but another heavy blow could rule him out for a lengthy period. Ulster issued their weekly injury update to the press attending a briefing at Kingspan Stadium this afternoon. As is often the case with these updates, there was bad news therein. 24-year-old inside centre Stuart McCloskey injured his foot in the away win over Glasgow Warriors and will be out for at least four weeks. Given the fact that he will have to get his fitness back up, upon his return, McCloskey must now be doubtful for the November series of Test matches, including two matches against the All Blacks. https://twitter.com/JBradleyBT/status/780763769110757376 McCloskey made his Ireland debut in the away Six Nations loss to England, last February, and was surprise omission from the summer tour to South Africa. He started 2016/17 well so would have been in the mix for Test selection. Stuart Olding, who played centre for Ireland against the Springboks, is out of Ulster's home tie against Ospreys with a hip injury but is expected to be back for inter-pro action against Connacht. Robbie Henshaw is 'back in the rugby programme' at Leinster but is still weeks away from a competitive return. Whoever is selected in midfield for Ireland against New Zealand, on November 5, may have to face Crusaders' Ryan Crotty, who broke Irish hearts in 2013 with a late, converted try and who has performed well in The Rugby Championship. In brighter news, Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe are back training with the senior Ulster squad. Catch up on the first episode of Football Friday Live...