Key players back in contention for Ulster after Six Nations duty

Six Nations Player of the Championship nominee, centre Stuart McCloskey, is one of the players back in contention for Saturday’s URC game away to bottom-of-the-table Zebre.

McCloskey, who is up against Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Tommaso Menoncello and Kyle Steyn for the championship honour, has returned to training along with back-rower Nick Timoney following international duty.

In a further boost to the province, scrum-half David Shanahan and centre James Hume have both recovered from the concussions they sustained in the 40-19 win against Edinburgh Rugby a fortnight ago and are fit for selection.

Charlie Irvine (lower leg), Sam Crean (knee), Jack Murphy (ribs) and Scott Wilson (shoulder) will have their fitness for selection assessed through training this week.

Cormac Izuchukwu (concussion), James McNabney (knee), Stewart Moore (knee), Jude Postlethwaite (hand), Robert Baloucoune (elbow), Rory McGuire (shoulder) and Jake Flannery (shoulder) are still sidelined.

Ulster are third in the United Rugby Championship standings, eight points behind leaders Glasgow, and will be looking to avenge last year’s shock home defeat to Zebre.

Zebre ran out 15-14 winners in Belfast as the Italian side ended a 36-game winless run away from home in the URC.