Ulster captain Henderson to miss start of season

Ulster captain Iain Henderson will be sidelined for several months due to hip surgery. The 34-year-old accomplished rugby player, who earned his final 86th cap for Ireland against New Zealand in November, was also suspended from play following a red card against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship. This suspension led to a three-game ban, including the Challenge Cup final loss to Montpellier in Bilbao.

Henderson made his debut for Ulster in April 2012 and represented Ireland in their match against South Africa the following November. A two-time representative for the British and Irish Lions, he was appointed captain of Ulster after Rory Best's retirement in 2019.

Henderson will miss the start of the new season, which kicks off with a home game against Edinburgh on September 25. While he is not the only injury concern for head coach Richie Murphy, he is not alone. Other players, including Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee), have also undergone surgery during the off-season. According to Ulster, these players are currently in a rehabilitation phase and not yet ready to return to action.