Ulster lose Lowry, Baloucoune and Arenzana-King to injuries after Edinburgh defeat

Ulster have lost all three members of the back three who started their United Rugby Championship opener, with Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune and Aitzol Arenzana-King unavailable for the trip to Glasgow. BBC Sport reported on Tuesday that the trio were injured during the province's 34-29 home defeat by Edinburgh at the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2-xa0M5QeU

Full-back Lowry and winger Baloucoune suffered concussions, while Arenzana-King sustained a knee injury. Their absences are confirmed for Saturday's match at Scotstoun, but the BBC report did not give longer-term recovery dates. Lowry had captained Ulster against Edinburgh and scored their opening try, meaning the injury list includes both the starting full-back and that game's captain.

The setbacks followed a match in which Ulster recovered from a 34-5 deficit without completing the turnaround. Richie Murphy's side finished with four tries and collected two bonus points, despite losing the game in Belfast. Their late recovery narrowed the final margin to five points, but the head coach's assessment focused on the performance that had left them so far behind.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI's Mark Sidebottom, Murphy said the group had been disappointed by how they played. He contrasted that with a roughly 20-minute spell of effective rugby, which he said was closer to the level they had expected to produce. The coach said Ulster had begun reviewing their mistakes and believed the team was capable of substantially better.

Murphy identified the breakdown and defensive organisation as areas requiring attention. He wanted the defensive line moving forward while remaining connected, and said the players needed to correct what had gone wrong against Edinburgh. Those priorities accompany changes in the backline, with both starting wings and the full-back from the opening fixture now ruled out.

Ulster's next opponents opened their own campaign with a 26-20 away victory over Munster. Saturday's meeting in Glasgow is scheduled for 17:30 BST. Murphy described the assignment as difficult and said his side would need to perform at their best to take anything from the match, following a first round that brought both a defeat and three injuries.