Dec 24,2024
Ulster have been given a boost ahead of Saturday's BKT URC clash with Connacht with the news that Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney and Cormac Izuchukwu are back in training.
The trio all picked up the injuries in the Champions Cup defeat to Bordeaux-Begles on 14 December.
Stuart McCloskey and Zac Ward, who both suffered knocks in Friday's defeat to Munster, are to be assessed later today.
Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery and Nathan Doak have also returned to training as the province look to complete a double over Connacht, who they defeated in Belfast in October.
That win over Connacht on 12 October was a high-point for Richie Murphy's side this season, and while they followed it up with a big win against the Ospreys, their form has dropped off ever since, losing five games in all competitions.
"It is tough, I've been in this situation before, you can’t really worry about what’s on the outside and what other people say, it becomes more internally now, and it actually brings out the character in the team," wing Werner Kok said, ahead of Saturday's crucial game at Dexcom Stadium.
"It is easy to see good character and good fight if it’s going well, and it really brings out the boys’ fight and character when it’s not going that well, it’s going to test us now.
"We'll start getting momentum and it’s something we have to strive for, still a long season so we can push for the next few and one game will put you in the top eight and then we’ll be in it again.
"We need to stick in it, look internally and don’t think about anything else, just focus on ourselves."
