Ulster have injury doubts over Ireland international pair Nathan Doak and Rob Herring ahead of Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle.
Scrum-half Doak is dealing with an ankle injury picked up in Saturday’s Round of 16 win against Ospreys in Belfast, while hooker Herring has a calf injury.
Head coach Richie Murphy is already dealing with Michael Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, Stewart Moore, Rory McGuire and James McNabney for the visit of Ronan O’Gara’s side.
Meanwhile Connacht will be without Josh Ioane for Saturday’s quarter-final against Montpellier in France, as Stuart Lancaster’s side look to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions.
The out-half (below) is following the return to play protocols for a concussion, which he suffered in the early stages of his side’s 29-12 victory against the Sharks on Friday.
Versatile back Sean Naughton filled in at out-half at Dexcom Stadium or the remainder of the Round of 16 win, while Jack Carty could come back into contention for Saturday’s clash with the Top14 giants.
Lancaster will be sweating on the fitness of hooker Heffernan, who is carrying a hip injury picked up in the second half of last week’s victory.
The trip to France will come too soon for Shayne Bolton (quad), Hugh Gavin (shoulder), Sean Jansen (calf), David O’Connor (wrist) and Harry West (knee), but the province say the quartet have been integrated back into training this week, in the hope that they could be available for the upcoming URC tour of South Africa.