Magners League:Stephen Ferris has been ruled out of Ulster's Magners League game against Connacht after fracturing his cheekbone during training. The Ireland flanker will be ruled out for at least six weeks.
Brian McLaughlin’s side were preparing to take on Connacht at Ravenhill on Friday night (7.30pm) when Ferris sustained the injury. An x-ray this afternoon revealed he will be out for six to eight weeks.
The injury also leaves Ferris in danger of missing next month's Ireland's tour when they take on New Zealand and Australia.
Ireland play the All Blacks on June 12th before facing the New Zealand Maoris on June 18th and Australia in Brisbane on June 26th.
The Ireland game against the Barbarians at Thomond Park on June 4th also looks beyond the Lions flanker.
McLaughlin,meanwhile, has called 21-year-old Tommy Seymour into the squad. The Academy graduate is at home on wing or at fullback and has been in fine form for the Ulster Ravens in the British and Irish Cup. He joins Timoci Nagusa in being added to the backsline options.
Up front, Nigel Brady and Declan Fitzpatrick are also recalled after featuring for the Ravens in the semi-final defeat to Munster last Saturday week.
An inspirational win over Edinburgh last time out means Ulster are no longer looking over their shoulder at their interprovincial rivals and have secured Heineken Cup rugby for next season.
McLaughlin will name his matchday 22 on Thursday afternoon.
Ulster Squad (v Connacht)
Forwards:Tom Court, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Declan Fitzpatrick, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Andy Kyriacou, Ryan Caldwell, Neil McComb, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Stephen Ferris, Robbie Diack, TJ Anderson, Willie Faloon.
Backs: Paul Marshall, Isaac Boss, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Simon Danielli, Jamie Smith, Nevin Spence, Timoci Nagusa, Tommy Seymour.