Izuchukwu out for 'number of weeks' with ankle injury
Ulster back-row Cormac Izuchukwu will be out for a "number of weeks" after sustaining an ankle injury in his side's defeat to Benetton earlier this month.The forward, who won his first Ireland cap in November's win over Fiji, came off early in Ulster's 34-19 loss in Treviso and was withdrawn from international selection for Saturday's win over Wales.Ulster head coach Richie Murphy will also be without Iain Henderson (hamstring) for Saturday's home United Rugby Championship game against the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium but could be boosted by the return from injuries of Jack Flannery [hamstring] and Michael Lowry [concussion].Both players will have their fitness assessed throughout the week after coming off injured alongside Izuchukwu in Italy, while John Cooney is also being monitored this week after suffering a calf injury in training.Meanwhile Ulster have increased their options in the front row by agreeing a short-term deal for loose-head prop Sam Crean.The Irish-qualified forward joins from Saracens.
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