GUINNESS PRO12: Tommy Bowe and Louis Ludik ruled out of Ulster's title tilt

Bowe, who had just returned from a six month lay-off due to a serious knee injury and played against Zebre last month will miss next week’s PRO12 semi-final against Leinster at the RDS, Dublin.

Last week ahead of the visit to Ospreys for the final regular league game of the season, Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss had indicated that Bowe had suffered a flare up to the knee injury after the game in Italy.

On Tuesday Ulster Rugby confirmed that Bowe had undergone exploratory arthroscopy of his right knee to address discomfort he has been experiencing since the game against Italy.

A statement said: “The surgery revealed no new injury and Tommy is expected to be fully fit for the start of pre-season.”

The club also confirmed that Ludik would undergo surgery in London tomorrow for his persistent groin pain.

Ulster did not suffer any further injury concerns during last weekend’s 46-26 win over Ospreys in Swansea which ensured they took four place in the final standings and booked their place in the play-offs.

The Irish Province are hopeful they may have prop Wiehahn Herbst return from injury for the trip to Dublin.

Kiss said: “Wiehahn did scome scrums and some contract last week. He is getting better and better and closer and closer.

“He is probably just going to be a little bit underdone in terms of fitness for a big guy like that, but it is nice that Ricky (Lutton) and Andy (Warwick) have been doing well in there and Bronson Ross sitting on the wings.”