No Jacob Stockdale but Iain Henderson and Stuart McCloskey in Ulster squad for South Africa tour

Ulster's interim head coach Richie Murphy has been able to include Guinness Six Nations winners Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey and Tom O'Toole in his squad for their tour of South Africa, but Jacob Stockdale is a notable omission from the 30-man group.

Stockdale, who was in the Ireland squad but didn't feature for Andy Farrell's side during the Six Nations, is not included in the travelling Ulster party. It's believed the winger has been given compassionate leave after the birth of a baby daughter this month.

The Ulster squad will depart for Durban this afternoon ahead of Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Sharks, before they travel to Cape Town the following week, where they take on the Stormers.

Murphy, whose Ireland U20 side finished runner-up in the Six Nations last week, is taking charge of the province until the end of the season following the departure of Dan McFarland in late February.

The interim coach has been able to pick a strong squad for his side's two-game tour, with Henderson, McCloskey and O'Toole going straight back to work with the province following their Six Nations title with Ireland.

Henderson and McCloskey featured in two games each over the championship, while O'Toole made one appearance off the bench in the win over Italy in Round 2. Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney will also link back up with the Ulster squad.

In good news for the province, hooker Rob Herring (above) is set to make his comeback during the trip. The Ireland international missed out on the Six Nations after suffering an elbow injury in January, but is one of three hookers in the group, as well as Stewart and John Andrew.

South African World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff is included, with the loosehead prop set for an