The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s United Rugby Championship fixture against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium.

The side has no new injury concerns arising out of Saturday’s game against Zebre, a 36-3 win in Parma.

Stuart McCloskey (hamstring) and Jordi Murphy sustained recent injuries in training and are currently unfit for selection.

Jacob Stockdale (ankle) and Rob Lyttle (back) also sustained recent training ground injuries and will have their fitness for selection monitored through the coming week.

Cormac Izuchukwu and Luke Marshall remain out with knee injuries while winger Robert Baloucoune recovers from a groin injury.

Captain Iain Henderson is sidelined with a thumb injury while former Leinster prop Jack McGrath is working his way to full fitness after a hip injury.

Kieran Treadwell is still sidelined with the shoulder injury he picked up during pre-season and is currently working his way back into contention.

Nathan Doak earned his first start for the province against Zebre after coming on in place of Cooney against Glasgow Warriors.

The Ireland international had to leave the field after 30 minutes and has recently had an MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury.

Doak scored one of Ulster’s conversions in the 33-point win over Zebre at the Stade Sergio Lanfranchi.

Dan McFarland’s side scored six tries to get their second win of the season and continue their strong start to the inaugural United Rugby Championship season.

Ethan McIlroy and Nick Timoney both scored braces on Saturday as the visitors blew away their hosts in a clear showcase of the gulf in class between the sides.

Will Addison also got on the scoresheet for the side as well as James Hume but Ulster could only manage to convert half of their kicking opportunities following the tries.

McFarland’s team will hope to go three-from-three against Benetton to maintain their impressive start.

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Cooney lasted just half an hour on Friday night before being forced off through injury as his side got off to a winning start in the inaugural United Rugby Championship season.

The scan will determine the severity of the issue that the 31-year-old Dubliner has.

Ireland U20 star Nathan Doak came on in place of the Ireland international and took on Cooney’s kicking duties for the rest of the match.

Doak scored 11 points in 50 minutes as he impressed in his impromptu appearance.

Cormac Izuchukwu and Luke Marshall remain out with knee injuries while Robert Baloucoune recovers from a groin injury.

Captain Iain Henderson is sidelined with a thumb injury while former Leinster prop Jack McGrath is working his way to full fitness after a hip injury.

Kieran Treadwell is also among those recovering at Ravenhill after picking up a shoulder injury while key figures Jordi Murphy and Ian Madigan are also yet to return.

Ulster ran out 35-29 winners in front of fans at the Kingspan against head coach Dan McFarland’s former employers.

The nine-try thriller saw Ulster take a commanding second-half lead and survive a late push for a comeback from the visitors.

15,000 fans saw the home side register their first win of the season after quickfire tries from Marty Moore and Nick Timoney saw them create a gap between themselves and Glasgow.

However, the first half of the match was close and the Scots went into their changing room after 40 minutes as the side with the advantage.

They had four debutants in their side but looked the more cohesive team as Ulster failed to pull themselves together.

A penalty try and a score from starting hooker Brad Roberts was not enough and the introduction of Rob Herring in Roberts’ place spurred the side on in the second half.

Moore and Timoney’s tries came quick and the game looked to be over but Glasgow fought their way back into it via a penalty try of their own and Jamie Dobie’s finish.

The final moments of the game were spent in the Ulster 22 but the Irish province held on to seal a bonus-point victory in the opening game of the season.

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Cooney was Farrell’s go-to man when Murray needed to be pulled or rested earlier this year. However, the long absence of rugby has halted the 30-year-old’s form. Firstly, Joe Schmidt omitted him from the World Cup squad. This seemed to spur on Cooney who raised his game accordingly. Then, Farrell recalled him to the International set-up for the 6 Nations. In fact, Cooney impressed whenever he was called upon. Furthermore, many were hoping he would start alongside Sexton.

However, since Rugby has returned Cooney has not emulated this form. Losses to Connacht and Leinster were confidence drainers. After that, Kiwi Alby Mathewson replaced him for the Pro14 Final against Leinster. In the new season’s opener against Treviso last weekend, Cooney did show flashes of what he can offer. For example, one scintillating grubber kick gave Ulster a five-pointer on their way to a bonus-point win.

But, it seems Farrell had already made his mind up. With a festival of games coming up for Ireland, the Head Coach has chosen to look to the future.

Scrum-Half Contenders

Conor Murray will remain first-choice scrum-half. He is set to return to training with Munster this week after an injury. Now that his nearest contender has been defeated, he has another stint in the jersey ahead of him.

On the other hand, there are a host of scrum-halves ready to take their chance. Luke McGrath has been among the options for Farrell. But, his club partner Jamison Gibson-Park is eligible and in good form. Gibson-Park is currently uncapped but has trained with Farrell’s squad previously. He could be a contender for a debut which could be at McGrath’s expense.

In contrast, many fans will be hoping for a second chance for Connacht’s Kieran Marmion. The 28-year-old missed the cut for the World Cup. As a result, his form dropped and injury held him back. However, he has since been displaying the kind of form that earned him his 27 caps. Now fully fit, the fact that Cooney misses out is Marmion’s chance to prove he was hard done by this time last year.

In addition to this, Munster’s 21-year-old scrum-half Craig Casey has his good displays rewarded with a place in the squad as a ‘development player’.

Other Notables

Elsewhere, Ian Madigan’s return to Irish soil has not yet yielded a return to International action. He misses out on a squad place, as does JJ Hanrahan of Munster.

Instead, Jack Carty returns to International duty. He and Ross Byrne will have the job of competing for Sexton’s jersey. Farrell continues to mould Harry Byrne for the future also.

Marmion, Carty, and Quinn Roux should be joining Aki as Connacht representatives. Moreover, Prop Finlay Bealham joins the camp. He already has international experience and will be an asset to Farrell who has a competitive roster of front rows.

In the backs, Keith Earls’ injury has him sidelined. Hugo Keenan and Shane Daly can come in to offer cover among the back three.

Despite being eligible in November, Farrell has opted against giving a place to Leinster’s James Lowe. But everyone will be shocked if he does not get called in at some stage to what we believe is an eight week isolated squad at Carton House.

In the forwards, Max Deegan may miss out to some surprise. Likewise with Devin Toner. Ryan Baird comes in to join James Ryan.

The fact that John Cooney misses out is no footnote. However, there is plenty to look forward to as Farrell has a golden opportunity to develop the squad he wants for the future.

In an eight-week camp with no relief, the players will have more than enough time to impress their head coach.

Ireland Rugby Squad for Autumn Internationals according to sources.

Hookers: Dave Heffernan, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher.

Props: Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Ed Byrne, Andrew Porter, John Ryan, Finlay Bealham.

Locks: Quinn Roux, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne.

Backrows: Will Connors, Caelan Doris, Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier.

Scrumhalves: Conor Murray, Kieran Marmion, Jamison Gibson-Park, Craig Casey.

Outhalves: Johnny Sexton, Jack Carty, Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne.

Centres: Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose.

Outside-Backs: Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour, Hugo Keenan.

Three weeks from the @SixNationsRugby means we are only six weeks from the first ever @autumnnations! https://t.co/pQpRyhGXOM

— Autumn Nations Cup (@autumnnations) October 3, 2020

https://3.249.64.60/rugby/rugby_irish/ulster-rugby-have-to-suspend-training-due-to-positive-covid-results/

https://twitter.com/autumnnations/status/1312384544029503489

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Murray’s form has been a far cry from his norm in the last eighteen months. As a result, whispers began about whether it was time for a new 9 to step forward. Nonetheless, Murray remained in place for the World Cup and the 6 Nations to date.

Surprisingly, it has been Ulster’s John Cooney who deputised for Murray in the 6 Nations. This is a testament to the scintillating form shown by the 30-year-old prior to the competition. Luke McGrath remains the third choice scrum-half in the squad.

It will be interesting to see how the pecking order has been affected when the 6 Nations resumes in October. Cooney has not been able to continue this form since the restart. In fact, Ulster chose Kiwi Alby Matthewson ahead of him for the Pro14 final against Leinster.

Cooney has not done anything to harm his chances in a green jersey when called upon. But, Farrell will have been watching closely since the restart and Cooney will have to shake away any doubt before long.

In Leinster Luke McGrath has his own competition. Another New Zealander puts the pressure on in the form of Jamison Gibson-Park. Now 28, he qualifies for Ireland and could be an option for Farrell in the Autumn Nations Tournament. Gibson-Park is enjoying his own spell of form and has seen plenty of minutes lately. Yet, it is no secret that Farrell is a fan of the cool head McGrath brings to the game.

The man many fans are crying to see back on the international stage is Connacht’s Kieran Marmion. After being left out of the World Cup Squad last year in place of McGrath, Marmion has had a rough time of it. His form did not justify his omission by any means.

Marmion was the second-choice 9 for Ireland for a long time. When called upon he did his duty and more. For example, he started the 2018 victory against New Zealand in Dublin. Since his debut in 2014, Marmion has racked up 27 caps. At 28 he has a lot left in the tank.

However, watching Ireland jet off to the world cup without him clearly had an effect. Firstly, the rise of Caolin Blade removed his certainty of being Connacht’s first-choice 9. Secondly, a potential move away to Saracens was scuppered by their salary scandal. Then, injury prevented him from proving Farrell wrong before the lockdown.

In the middle of all this, Marmion signed a new 3-year-deal with Connacht. This is a sign of intent. Marmion is here to compete and add to his 27 caps. To illustrate this, the hunger he displayed against Ulster in the first game back was a reminder of his credentials. Thankfully, the lockdown seems to have allowed Marmion to find his drive. If given a chance to impress this November and December, he could put a claim on the jersey.

But, we can’t rule out Conor Murray under any circumstances. There is a reason he has been the undisputed 9 for most of the last decade. His ability to snipe around the breakdown hasn’t been lost to age. Similarly, his understanding of the game and his ability to read a situation is stronger than ever. Currently, the only thing lacking is putting it all together. Farrell clearly trusts Murray. Therefore, the Limerick man will have chances ahead of him to secure the jersey for a while yet.

If form really is temporary, and class is permanent, Murray shouldn’t have anything to worry about in the games to come. But, should he offer as much as a sniff of the green 9, there are a host top-class players in Ireland’s scrum-half battle who will relish the fight.

Current Top Seven Scrum-Halves

(1) Conor Murray

(2) Kiernan Marmion

(3) Jamison Gibson-Park

(4) John Cooney

(5) Caolin Blade

(6) Luke McGrath

(7) Craig Casey

#GuinnessSeries2020

RTÉ and Channel 4 will have free to air coverage of Ireland's matches this November and December as part of the new @autumnnations Cup.

Amazon Prime will have coverage of the tournament in the UK.https://t.co/6AVlHSovzo

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 11, 2020

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