Five out injured for Ulster as Sheridan handed ban

Ulster trio Cormac Izuchukwu, James Hume and Dave Shanahan will miss Friday's game with Connacht after sustaining concussions in the win at Edinburgh, while Harry Sheridan has been banned.

Ireland forward Izuchukwu was forced off for a head injury assessment after being tackled in the air by Edinburgh replacement hooker Harri Morris, who received a red card.

The 26-year-old had just returned from a concussion sustained in training after he made his Six Nations debut in Ireland's win over Italy.

Hume was replaced early in the second half of the win at the Hive, while Shanahan was substituted in the second minute and the trio will follow return to play protocols.

Sheridan was sent off in the 45th minute for a dangerous tackle and has been handed a three-week suspension.

He will miss the URC games with Connacht and Zebre, but could be available for the Challenge Cup quarter-final with Ospreys if he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme.

In a bruising victory, which moved Richie Murphy's side up to third in the United Rugby Championship, Ulster will be without centre Jude Postlethwaite and versatile back Jake Flannery for Connacht's visit to Belfast on Friday.

Postlethwaite sustained a hand fracture and will have surgery to stabilise the injury and will be unavailable for "a number of weeks".

Flannery injured his shoulder and is also unavailable for selection, while second row Charlie Irvine will be monitored after a soft tissue injury to his lower leg.

The injuries could potentially leave Ulster short in the second row and at centre for the game with Connacht.

In more positive news, Ireland internationals Tom O'Toole, Tom Stewart, Nathan Doak and Jacob Stockdale are all available for selection after the Six Nations.

However, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Baloucoune and Nick Timoney will be absent after helping Andy Farrell's side win the Triple Crown.