HENDERSON NEEDS A ‘MIRACLE’

ULSTER have confirmed that Les Kiss is planning on doing without Iain Henderson for the remainder of this season, ruling him out of the 2016 Six Nations with Ireland unless there is a ‘miraculous improvement.’ Henderson (right) became the third Test player in the space of just 15 months to suffer significant hamstring damage, following injuries to Cian Healy in September 2014 and Paul O’Connell at the World Cup in October. Healy, who tore his hamstring off the bone while running at training, took until February to return, while no date has been set for O’Connell’s comeback at Toulon. ‘Iain’s situation is probably not a good one,’ reported defence coach Joe Barakat about the injury suffered last Friday in Belfast. ‘It’s severe which can be anywhere from a complete tear to a tear off the bone. We’re planning on him not being back this season. ‘We really feel for him. He was chasing a charge down kick and went to make a tackle not necessarily in an awkward position… to lose him, Dan Tuohy and Peter Nelson to what could be season-ending injuries is quite devastating.’ Tommy Bowe, sidelined since rupturing knee ligaments at the World Cup, agreed he would be a huge loss. ‘Iain showed his world class ball-carrying ability at the World Cup and to have someone like Paul O’Connell stepping out of the Irish fold, Iain would have been a great person to have to come into that set-up. He is going to be a big loss for both Ulster and Ireland. ‘He’s got incredible healing power and that is something that could be a good thing. He ruptured ligaments in his finger and it looked like he could be out for a couple of months and he was back playing after three or four weeks. He’s a very quick healer and has a huge pain threshold.’ Bowe added there is a pep in Ulster’s step ahead of tomorrow night’s must-win Champions Cup clash with Toulouse. ‘Les and the coaches have come in buzzing, the players are very excited and it doesn’t come much bigger than Toulouse at home. I don’t know if the rain will be coming down but I’m sure Toulouse would like to be other places.’ Ulster also learned their back match at Oyonnax will take place in France on Sunday, January 10, the day after Munster play their held-over game at Stade Francais.