Next five fixtures: Benetton (H), Racing 92 (H, Challenge Cup), Cardiff (A, Challenge Cup), Leinster (A), Connacht (A)
Having opened their season with three straight wins, Ulster’s bubble was burst before the break by the Lions, who won 49-31 at Ellis Park to give Richie Murphy plenty to ponder during the November break.
Ulster return to action against Benetton on Friday (19:45 GMT) – their first home game since 11 October – with a lengthy injury list.
Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey is out with a groin injury, joining Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O’Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee) on the sidelines.
Ben Carson and in-form full-back Michael Lowry will also miss the match against Benetton, who beat Ulster 34-19 in Treviso last season.
Like Leinster, Ulster are hoping to be boosted by a high-profile southern hemisphere arrival in the form of Angus Bell.
The 25-year-old Australia prop has arrived in Belfast after joining Ulster until the end of the season, but he will not feature against Benetton on Friday.
While the Wallabies struggled in November, Bell was one of their standout performers, scoring tries against Italy and France.
A victory over Benetton would keep Ulster in the upper echelons of the URC standings and give them a well-timed spring in their step before a mouthwatering Challenge Cup opener against Racing, who lost 31-15 on their last visit to Belfast in December 2023.
