Ulster reveal summer surgery to Henderson alongside three team-mates

Ulster have confirmed that captain Iain Henderson will be out of action for a “number of months” after undergoing an operation on his hip this summer.

While the procedure was a success,  the 34-year-old will nevertheless be sidelined for the start of the season, which begins on September 25 for Ulster with a visit from Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship.

The 85-cap international is one of four players who have gone under the knife during the offseason, with fellow Ireland representative Bryn Ward also part of that list. The 22-year-old made his debut for Andy Farrell’s side in July against Japan, but has since had his shoulder operated on.

Ireland Sevens representative Jude Postlethwaite has also had his knee operated on following a season where he was drafted into Farrell’s Six Nations squad, but failed to earn his first cap.

The final member of the quartet is No.8 Juarno Augustus, who has had surgery on his ankle.

While Ulster have stated that Ward, Postlethwaite and Augustus are undergoing a “period of rehab”, it is unclear whether they will be available for the start of the season or not.

Henderson missed the final two matches of Ulster’s campaign last season, including the Challenge Cup final defeat to Montpellier, following a red card following his 20-minute red card for a croc roll against the Stormers in round 17 of the URC.

His injury now will leave him in a race to be fit for Ireland’s Nations Championship fixtures in November, where they face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa. With that said, the former British and Irish Lions tourist has failed to make a squad named by Farrell in 2026, and this operation will not help his chances of breaking back into the national squad in the back end of his career.