It\u2019s tough going for Ulster and Leinster ahead of this weekend\u2019s United Rugby Championship (URC) action, with both sides nursing major injury concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ulster have revealed a nightmare injury list on the eve of their inter-pro showdown with Munster, with 12 players out of action for Richie Murphy\u2019s side, while Leinster are also sweating over Ireland trio Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris and Andrew Porter among several already long-term issues.<\/p>\n
Murphy\u2019s men come into Saturday\u2019s crunch game fifth in the URC table, but are just one place and one point above rivals Munster, while Leinster sit third ahead of their meeting with Benetton and could go top of the table with a win depending on results elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Ulster reveal nightmare injury list as 12 unavailable<\/p>\n
Ulster<\/a> paid a heavy price for their brave comeback effort against Leinster last weekend, with a number of fresh injuries sustained.<\/p>\n Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Tom O\u2019Toole, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward all picked up knocks in Dublin last Friday night, and will now miss this weekend\u2019s trip to Limerick as a result. The blows to both Bell and O\u2019Toole will also sting for Murphy, leaving him light at prop.<\/p>\n Rugby Transfers: Ireland stars make crucial decision on futures, ex-All Black on the move and Gloucester rebuild continues<\/a><\/p>\n Elsewhere, Nick Timoney, James McNabney, Rob Herring, Rob Baloucoune, Rory McGuire and Stewart Moore all remain on the sidelines with their respective injuries and are again not available this weekend.<\/p>\n However, Michael Lowry has begun his return to the field after taking part in training, but a call will be made on his availability later in the week. Ulster name their 23-man squad on Friday.<\/p>\n Leinster sweat over key Ireland trio as injury crisis continues<\/p>\n Leo Cullen\u2019s side are already in the midst of a major injury crisis heading into the final few rounds of the URC season, with Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Diarmuid Mangan, Paddy McCarthy, RG Snyman and Alex Usanov all currently sidelined, and could see Doris, Van der Flier and Porter join them as well.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n The trio all missed their victory over Ulster last weekend after being sent for further investigation on injuries, and are set for further scans to determine the severity of their issues. A decision on their fitness will be made later in the week, with Leinster<\/a> naming their team on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n The ongoing issues with Porter will cause major concern, with the British and Irish Lions tourist previously sidelined with a calf issue that saw him miss the Six Nations.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, though, Leinster did not pick up any fresh injuries in their 29-21 win over Ulster last time out, which will come as welcome news to boss Cullen.<\/p>\n