Ulster's Jordi Murphy set for return as McCloskey derides Italy sendings off 'farce'

Jordi Murphy is in the running to make a seasonal debut for Ulster against Cardiff on Friday night.

The Ireland back row hasn't played with the province since May with a foot and knee injury keeping the 30-year-old sidelined.

"Jordi’s been training the last week or two, he’s been integrating back into full training so I imagine he’ll be putting his best foot forward for selection," Ulster skills coach Craig Newby told RTÉ Sport.

"Whether or not that goes his way, tomorrow will tell a bit more but he’s looking keen and I’ve worked a lot with him over the last three or four months with his injury.

"He’s certainly interested in getting involved."

Newby said the club didn’t yet know which players would be released from Irish camp for the United Rugby Championship match in Belfast, with Robert Baloucoune and Nick Timoney two of the squad who didn’t see any action so far in the Guinness Six Nations.

"We’re hopeful of getting some of those guys back from the Ireland camp but that a conversation between Ireland management and Dan [McFarland]," he said.

"We’ll find out more tomorrow. From today we are not 100% clear."

The New Zealander spoke of his pride at seeing full-back Michael Lowry make his debut for his country, scoring two tries against Italy in a match which also featured Ulster players Kieran Treadwell, Rob Herring and James Hume.

"Dan Soper and I went down together to watch him," he said.

"Obviously, a few [Instonians] boys, Mikey and James Hume, I’m immensely proud of how hard those guys have worked to get their opportunity and they all [did] good.

"It was nice to see Kieran and Rob grow and have big impacts in the latter part of the game.

"Extremely proud and I’m sure Mikey and his family, in particular, playing the whole game