Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss several months of the new season after undergoing hip surgery. The 34-year-old won the last of his 86 Ireland caps against New Zealand in November and missed the end of last season through a suspension, which included the Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier in Bilbao.\n\nHenderson made his Ulster debut in 2012 and first played for Ireland later that year. A two-time British and Irish Lions tourist, he was named Ulster captain following Rory Best's retirement in 2019.\n\nUlster begin their URC season at home to Edinburgh on 25 September.

Head coach Richie Murphy also has injury concerns over Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee), who all had surgery during the off-season and are now rehabilitating.