Ulster set to welcome back Iain Henderson and Rob Herring for Munster visit

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland says he expects to welcome back his Irish World Cup contingent for next Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro with Munster, but the province are counting the cost of another attritional week.

With 19 players either injured or unavailable ahead of Saturday's defeat to Connacht at the Sportsground, Ulster also lost Will Addison to a hamstring injury in the warm-up, while a bruising derby match saw James French, James Hume and debutant Reuben Crothers all depart with concussion.

McFarland has already ruled the trio out of this week's meeting with Munster at Kingspan Stadium, but is confident he will be able to welcome others back into the squad, notably Iain Henderson and Rob Herring.

"It's the end of the three weeks that the internationals have to take off, so those guys will be available for selection next week," the Ulster coach said following Saturday's 22-20 defeat.

"I don't know about Will [Addison], his hamstring tightened up in the warm-up so we pulled him out, so I don't know about Will. There are a few other guys who might come back.

"We have a little spate of injuries at the moment, so it'll be a bit of wait and see for next week."

Ulster looked on course for a surprise win early in the second half when their depleted side ran into a 20-3 lead, but ultimately couldn't hold on as Connacht crossed for three tries to maintain their 100% start.

And while the Ulster coach (below) was left frustrated at his squad couldn't stem the flow of Connacht's attack, he says there are positives they can draw on ahead of another big Interpro on Friday.

"I definitely think so, a lot of guys there getting first opportunities this season. I thought they really stood up well against nearly a