Rugby

Ulster's Iain Henderson could make return against Glasgow

Iain Henderson could be in line for a weekend return to the Ulster squad following injury
Iain Henderson could be in line for a weekend return to the Ulster squad following injury Iain Henderson could be in line for a weekend return to the Ulster squad following injury

IAIN HENDERSON could make his return after a long spell on the sidelines for Ulster’s trip to Glasgow on Friday night.

The 23-year-old lock has been out of action since the start of December after suffering a hamstring tear which it was feared would end his season. However, he and Tommy Bowe returned to training a few weeks ago and, while the Ireland winger is still a bit off, Henderson could be in contention for the game at Scotstoun Stadium.

“Hendy is right in the mix at this stage. We’ll see how he pulls up after the session [yesterday]. If everything comes up rosy, he’s in the mix, but we have to wait and see the reports,” said Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss.

A return for the PRO12 season finale would also bring him back into the mix for Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa. Winger Bowe (32) has been out of action since suffering damage to his posterior cruciate ligament in Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina last September.

“Tommy is getting closer and closer, without a doubt. For the nature of the injury had, we’re just being very careful about when he comes back into everything at full tilt," he said.

“He’s taking contact in a really strong way now, so he could play rugby. There are a few other areas he just needs to get right. He’s probably a little bit behind Hendy, to tell you the truth.”

Dan Tuohy, meanwhile, is out for the rest of the season after he had to undergo a further operation on an ankle injury. He suffered a fractured ankle in December’s win over Edinburgh and has now had a potential return pushed back until the start of next season.

Wiehahn Herbst’s recovery from a foot injury could be complete by the time Ulster travel to Zebre in mid-April, while Nick Williams and Darren Cave should both be fit for this weekend.

The trio that start for Ireland against Scotland on Saturday - namely Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne - are all unlikely to start, but could be included among the replacements.

“The opportunity is possibly there to have one or two of them on the bench, but at this stage we’re banking on not having any. We may have one or two, but we’ll see,” said Kiss.

Coming into the final clutch of five games in the Pro12, Ulster begin in a city where they haven’t won since 2012, and where their hopes were dashed in last year’s semi-final.

On top of boost their own top-four chance, Ulster, who will have had a three-week break from competitive action, could put a huge dent in Glasgow’s hopes of retaining their title with victory at the weekend.

“If we get a win, it really changes it. If Glasgow win, it puts a different complexion on their game with Edinburgh, because one of them are certain to go through to Europe. Instead of putting an end point, we’re looking at Glasgow. Let’s nail that job first and foremost.”