Ulster and Ireland second-row Iain Henderson has been ruled out for the start of the 2026/27 season after undergoing surgery on a hip injury during the summer, the province confirmed.
The 34-year-old, who has not played since being sent off in Ulster’s draw with the Stormers back in May, is now expected to miss “a number of months” as he recovers from the operation.
This marks the third time in Henderson’s career that he received treatment for a hip problem, having previously gone under the knife in 2014 and again in 2020.
The club also confirmed that Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) all had surgeries during the offseason.
Ward, who made his breakthrough last season, posted the news on his Instagram account shortly after returning from Ireland’s Nations Championship trip down under, where the back-row forward won his first cap in the win over Japan.
Augustus and Postlethwaite were both ruled out of test contention this summer with South Africa and Ireland respectively and, alongside Ward, will rehab their respective injuries.
Last week, Ulster confirmed the signing of Martin Moloney and Daniel Hawkshaw on one-year-deals.