Steven Kitshoff confirmed to have played final Ulster game after season ended by injury
Steven Kitshoff has departed Ulster
Ulster prop Steven Kitshoff has played his final game for the province after it was confirmed that he has departed the country following a season-ending knee injury.
The Springbok World Cup winner limped off in the second half of their Challenge Cup Quarter-Final defeat to Clermont two weeks ago and was ruled out in the short-term initially.
However, follow up scans have revealed that Kitshoff will be out for the remainder of the campaign and Ulster have confirmed that he is already on his way back to South Africa to see a specialist.
It brings down the curtain on a disastrous stay at Ravenhill for the 32-year-old, who made just 14 appearances for the club and lasted just one season of what was meant to be a three-year deal after it was confirmed he will be returning to former side the DHL Stormers next season.
Meanwhile, in more disastrous news for the province, centre James Hume is set to visit a surgeon of his own after sustaining a “significant” knee injury against Cardiff last week.
The former Ireland international looks to be out for the rest of the campaign at least and could be out for a substantial amount of time depending on the diagnosis.
It is another massive blow for interim head coach Richie Murphy, with Hume having started the last nine consecutive games and 18 of Ulster’s 20 matches this season.
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 23rd April
In shorter term injury news, all three of Jake Flannery (thigh), Tom O'Toole (ankle) and Nathan Doak (groin) picked up injuries against Cardiff and their availability for what is quickly becoming a must-win tie against Benetton on Friday will be monitored during the week.
At least in Flannery and Doak’s absences they have Billy Burns and John Cooney available to step in, but being without O’Toole would be a problem given Ulster’s lack of options in the scrum, particularly on the right side of the front row.
Scott Wilson looks set for back-to-back starts but cover on the bench is thin on the ground and could force Andrew Warwick across the scrum to cover or James French may be called upon for the first time since November 4.
