He's recovering from ACL damage suffered in the Challenge Cup.
Ulster say Tullamore's Cormac Izuchukwu is continuing his rehabilitation from his torn ACL as they announced their team for the United Rugby Champions game against Benetton.
The 21-year-old sustained the injury in the European Challenge Cup against Harlequins back in April and underwent surgery shortly afterwards.
The time-frame for recovering from such an injury is between eight and 11-months., with the lock under contract with Dan McFarland's side until 2023.
In team news for the Benetton fixture, Rob Herring is in line for his 200th sppearance for the Northern province, becoming the seventh man to do so.
Herring has been named alongside Andrew Warwick and Tom O’Toole in the front row. Sam Carter comes in to partner Alan O’Connor, and Carter will also skipper the side. Matty Rea is named at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney at openside, and David McCann completing the base of the pack at Number Eight.
The back line that started last Saturday against Zebre has been retained. Will Addison is selected at full-back with Ethan McIlroy and Craig Gilroy on the wings. Stewart Moore and James Hume will form the centre partnership, and Nathan Doak and Billy Burns are named at scrum-half and out-half.
The forward replacements will be Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Mick Kearney and Sean Reidy, and the back line options are David Shanahan, Mike Lowry and Ben Moxham.
Ulster team to play Benetton Rugby, United Rugby Championship Round 3, Friday 8 October at Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm kick-off:
- Andrew Warwick
- Rob Herring, T
- om O’Toole, A
- lan O’Connor
- Sam Carter (Capt.)
- Matty Rea
- Nick Timoney
- David McCann
- Nathan Doak
- Billy Burns
- Ethan McIlroy
- Stewart Moore
- James Hume
- Craig Gilroy
- Will Addison
Replacements: Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Mick Kearney, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham.
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