Already-capped Robert Baloucoune is the most prominent of Ulster’s nine call-ups for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa, which gets going at the end of the month.
However, the impact of the 35-player squad’s absence on all the provinces’ planning for the URC will be considerable as it looks as if the three-game tour will hit selections for rounds three to five in the League, though for Ulster this might go further as they are in South Africa just after Emerging Ireland finish up.
From Ulster’s point of view, both Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy are on the plane which takes two wingers out of the equation, while Stewart Moore is also going which might put stress on midfield selections if James Hume remains sidelined.
The situation regarding scrum-halves is also interesting as both Nathan Doak and new signing Michael McDonald have been named, leaving Ulster with John Cooney — whose current fitness is not certain — and Dave Shanahan, with uncapped Academy player Conor McKee the only other nine available.
Newly-signed out-half Jake Flannery is also in the squad which means that Dan McFarland is going to be planning without the former Munster player who is the back-up to Billy Burns.
Michael Lowry and Angus Curtis look as if they will be required to provide the cover for Burns while the tour is under way.
