Darren Cave back in the mix ahead of Ulster's final push for European quarter-finals

Irish international centre, Darren Cave, is expected to make his return form injury and push his claim for a spot in Ulster's 23 matchday squad for the final pool one game in the European Champions Cup against Oyonnax at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jan 2016, 19:57 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2016, 23:59 BST
Darren Cave is expected to return to playing after injury with Ulster in their European Cup game against OyonnaxDarren Cave is expected to return to playing after injury with Ulster in their European Cup game against Oyonnax
Darren Cave is expected to return to playing after injury with Ulster in their European Cup game against Oyonnax

Cave suffered an AC joint (right shoulder) injury at the start of December playing against Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO12.

An initial time-line of return was two weeks, but six weeks later he is now expected to be included in Saturday’s game against Oyonnax.

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Ulster need to secure a try scoring bonus point win to give them five match points and a total of 18 in pool one and then wait and see if it will be enough to take them through to the last eight as one of the three best runners-up across the five groups.

Cave will be vying with Stuart McCloskey or Luke Marshall for a place in the midfield, with the latter pairing having established an impressive partnership in recent weeks.

Marshall was named as the Kingspan Ulster MVP player after the loss against Saracens last Saturday.

The Irish centre scored a try early in the game which offered Ulster hope as they faced pool leaders Saracens, but the English Premiership side were to power on to a 33-17 win and make it five out of five wins in the pool and secure a home quarter-final.

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“It wasn’t the result we wanted but we have another big game on Saturday and hopefully turn it around and maybe still qualify,” said Marshall.

“We made a few mistakes in the first half and give them a foothold after making a good start.

“Saracens are a quality team and they have shown it all season and maybe that is what they needed to get back in the game, they kicked on well and we made it too hard for ourselves.

Marshall admitted the result hurt Ulster.

“The mood in the dressing room was pretty low and sombre, we knew we had a chance to win but we let it slip, we now have to get a win against Oyonnax and hope other results go our way.

The aim is now is to complete the campaign with a flourish.

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“The aim will be to get a bonus point. We are not the position we wanted to be in and we would rather have our future in our own hands.

“The fact is we have to get a bonus point and hope other results go our way.”

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