Rugby:Ulster's preparations for Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster suffered a hammer blow today as it emerged that Stephen Ferris is not expected to play any part at Thomond Park. Scans on the flanker's ankle injury revealed muscle and ligament damage which is likely to rule him out on Sunday.

Ulster’s task was daunting enough without losing Ferris but he was always a concern after the Ireland international, one of the most impressive players during the Six Nations, needed to be helped off the field just after the half hour against Aironi last Friday night.

Ferris missed last year's quarter-finals, when Brian McLaughlin’s side went out against eventual finalists Northampton, and the Ulster coach is prepared for the worst again this weekend.

"Obviously as the week progresses we'll know more, but yes he's going to be a bit of a doubt,'' McLaughlin said over the weekend. "We've got an extra couple of days as it is a Sunday game, which could stand us in good stead. But we're worried, and that's quite simply the way it is.”