MAGNERS LEAGUE: Scarlets 43 Ulster 17: CHRIS HENRY'S hopes of winning a first cap on Ireland's summer tour to North America this week hang in the balance after the flanker sustained a recurrence of a shoulder injury in Ulster's emphatic defeat by the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
He could miss the two-Test tour against Canada and the USA after being replaced by David Pollock in the 46th minute of the Magners League hammering in West Wales.
The Belfast-born forward was to link up with Declan Kidney’s squad today but is a doubt as the uncapped 24-year-old is to be assessed by the national medical team before Ireland leave for Vancouver.
Ulster coach Matt Williams said: “Chris is in real pain after hurting the AC joint on his shoulder. He picked up the injury initially against Harlequins and has taken another bang on it. He is a doubt for the tour, which is disappointing. It would have been great for Chris to get some caps under his belt because he would have learnt so much about the intensity and mental aspects of playing at that level.
“Chris will still go and meet up with the squad and we’ll let the medical team make the final decision.”
Ulster scored in either half thanks to scrumhalf Paul Marshall’s invention and a late consolation for Ireland centre Darren Cave. But in truth, Williams’ men came off second best as the home side produced one of their best performances to finish their domestic season with a flourish and maximum points for the second time in a week.
Scarlets fullback Daniel Evans opened the scoring after 80 seconds with the first of six tries before Dominic Day, Lee Williams, Darren Daniel, Martin Roberts and David Lyons crossed to put the finishing touches on a convincing victory which leaves Ulster in eighth place in the table. Williams admitted: “We didn’t turn up and were already on holiday.”
SCARLETS:D Evans; D Daniel, R Higgitt, N Reynolds, L Williams; R Priestland, M Roberts; P John, K Owens, K Meeuws, L Reed, D Day, R McCusker, D Lyons (capt), J Edwards. Replacements: I Thomas for Meeuws (23 mins), A Shingler for Reed (54 mins), S Easterby for McCusker, J Turnbull for Edwards (both 48 mins), C Thomas for Higgitt (64 mins), G Davies for Roberts, E Phillips for Owens (both 71 mins).
ULSTER: I Boss; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Daniell, N O'Connor, P Marshall; B Young, N Brady (capt), D Fitzpatrick, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, C Henry, R Diack, W Falloon. Replacements: D Pollock for Henry (46 mins), C Del Fava for O'Donoghue (48 mins), I Humphreys for O'Connor (52 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Young (55 mins), M McCrea for Danielli (59 mins), N Hanna for Fitzpatrick (69 mins).
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU).
