Robert Baloucoune faces a race to be fit for Ireland’s Nations Championship fixtures after suffering an elbow injury in the win over Scotland at the end of the Six Nations.
Baloucoune was a breakthrough star of Ireland’s campaign as he made a spot on the wing his own, scoring three tries to help Andy Farrell’s side to a second-placed finish.
It came after several injury-disrupted years for the 28-year-old, but he has suffered another set-back with the wing set to miss three months of action in a major blow to Ulster.
Richie Murphy’s side are going well in the United Rugby Championship, sitting third, though look likely to be without Baloucoune for the remainder of the campaign after surgery.
“Ulster Rugby can confirm that Rob Baloucoune sustained an elbow injury in Ireland’s win over Scotland last weekend,” the club said in a statement. “He will undergo surgery and is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Rob.”
Ulster face Connacht on Friday night and also face tough games against Munster, Leinster, the Stormers and Glasgow in the remainder of the season.
A three-month timeline would potentially put Baloucoune on track to be back as Ireland embark on their inaugural Nations Championship tour in July.
Ireland open their campaign against the Wallabies in Sydney on 4 July, before facing Japan a week later in a game due to be held in Australia.
They will then take on New Zealand at the All Blacks’ Eden Park fortress on 18 July.
