James Hume ruled out as Ulster report mixed injury news before URC opener

James Hume has been ruled out of Ulster’s opening United Rugby Championship match after suffering a hamstring injury in training this week. The province’s performance medicine team confirmed the setback in its September 23 squad update, leaving the centre unavailable for Friday’s home meeting with Edinburgh at Affidea Stadium.

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Head coach Richie Murphy expects the 28-year-old to miss several weeks, BBC Sport NI reported. A return during the sequence of matches before Ireland’s November internationals remains possible, but Murphy stressed that the injury was too recent for a firm assessment. He did not give a confirmed comeback date.

Murphy told the BBC that Hume had worked hard in preparation for the campaign and had appeared fitter than he had for several years. The coach described the setback as disappointing for both the player and the team, while saying the absence would create an opportunity for another member of the squad.

The injury reduces Ulster’s midfield options further. According to the BBC, Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore are also absent through injury. David Hawkshaw joined during the summer, adding another centre to the group, but Murphy’s comments did not identify who would replace Hume against Edinburgh or settle the starting combination.

Elsewhere, Ulster’s official medical bulletin brought better news for Matthew Devine, Keynan Knox and Juarno Augustus. All three have returned to team training following their respective injuries. The update confirmed that step in their recoveries without announcing their selection for the opener, distinguishing their status from Hume’s confirmed unavailability for the Edinburgh match.

Ulster’s published fixture list places the Edinburgh game on September 25, with kick-off at 7.45pm local time. It is followed by an away match against Glasgow Warriors on October 3, a home meeting with Munster on October 10 and a trip to Zebre on October 17. Those fixtures form part of the early league schedule, but Murphy has not specified which games Hume might be able to return for.