Injury blow for Ulster as Robert Baloucoune and Sean Reffell ruled out of La Rochelle clash

Ireland winger Baloucoune (hamstring) and Reffell (ankle) were both injured in Saturday's United Rugby Championship defeat against Benetton in Treviso.

Matty Rea also sustained a foot injury playing for Ulster ‘A’ away against Ealing Trailfinders last Friday.

Prop Marty Moore's recent MRI scan confirmed he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and he will see a knee surgeon this week.

Moore sustained the injury against Munster on New Year’s Day.

Ulster’s 31-29 defeat against Benneton was the province’s fifth loss in six games.

Head coach Dan McFarland said that while he was disappointed with the result, he was ‘proud’ of the team’s effort.

“Obviously [I am] very disappointed but proud of the way we came back into it and got two points from it,” said McFarland

“We fought our way back into it and I was really proud of the way the lads did that. We played some nice stuff and put pressure on Benetton in the last 20 minutes and to get those two scores got us into the lead, and we were so close at the end there with a potentially a try in the corner that looked like a deliberate knock-down from them – but it is what it is.”

Ulster have dropped to fourth in the United Rugby Championship after three defeats in their last four games in the domestic competition.