Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, McCloskey was injured during the semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs
ByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI Journalist- Published3 minutes ago
Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey is set to miss the European Challenge Cup final with a serious hamstring problem as the injuries mount up for Richie Murphy.
In-form McCloskey sustained the injury in the semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs and missed Ulster's 38-38 draw with Stormers in the United Rugby Championship on Friday after going for an MRI in the week to determine the extent of the injury.
When asked to confirm if the 33-year-old was set to be out for a period of four to six weeks, Murphy replied "that's what they're saying".
"He has a serious hamstring injury. Is he a doubt for the final? Absolutely. Does it look likely he will play? Probably not, but we will see where that ends up," he added.
Jacob Stockdale (facial fracture) and David McCann (knee) are also doubts for the decider in Bilbao against Montpellier after they were injured in the last four victory against the Chiefs.
Murphy will also be sweating over the availability of captain Iain Henderson, who saw his initial yellow card for a croc-roll in the ruck against the Stormers upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
"Once you get a red card that is not in our hands, you go to a judiciary. Initially he clears straight through the ruck and ends up round the side. We'll wait and see what happens in relation to that."
Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic draw
- Published38 minutes ago
Ulster need to take Stormers draw 'on the chin'
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ulster were denied victory against the Stormers by a late penalty try award
Murphy said it was "hard to sum up" his emotions after the incident-packed draw with Stormers at the Affidea Stadium.
Eleven tries were scored in an end-to-end encounter, with the award of a late penalty try to the away side causing controversy.
Nathan Doak thought he had won the game for Ulster by holding up Stormers winger Leolin Zas as he looked to score, but, upon further review, Doak was penalised for shoulder to head contact, received a yellow card, and a penalty try was awarded, decisions which Murphy was frustrated with.
"You look at the collision or the lack of collision and you go, 'well, we can find at least another five occasions that that isn't looked at during the game', so that's quite difficult to take," he said.
"Is there head contact? Is it direct? The referee has to make the decision in regards to that, but a very disappointing way to take a victory away.
"We look at that last sort of two minutes or so from a defensive point of view and we didn't defend well enough, that is for sure, but we've got one really big, strong, physical and attacking team coming at us as well.
"Over the 80 minutes, I thought the way we adapted to the sort of things that went against us was really good. I thought we scored some brilliant tries as well.
"I thought the character that was shown within the team over the last couple of weeks has been really good. So, we need to take it on the chin and just get moving forward into the next one."
