Rory Best a doubt for Ulster trip to La Rochelle
Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes says captain Rory Best might not make his return to full fitness in time for Sunday's Champions Cup match away to La Rochelle.
The hooker has been ruled out since tearing his hamstring in training in September.
"Rory is still week to week. He's had some involvement in our sessions this week. He's moved to the next stage, for sure. It's the players' day off tomorrow, so we'll just see how he goes," said Gibbes.
However, regardless of whether or not he's fit enough to take to the field, Best will travel to France with the squad.
"It's a big occasion, it's a big match, so to have him around in that environment would be good. We're not sure how that's going to pan out. But even if he was a water-carrier, that'd be good just to have him in and around the guys."
On the injury front, Jared Payne remains a long-term problem, but Chris Henry will be among those to return.
"John Cooney is pretty good, Jean Deysel is pretty sore so he's had a light start to the week but he seems to be tracking ok, so there's nothing too major at the moment," said Gibbes.