Ulster Rugby face anxious wait after both star summer signings injured

Ulster Rugby’s two big summer signing look like spending a significant chunk of the season on the sidelines after a double whammy of injuries forced the pair off the pitch during their side’s clash with Bath Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Neither former Wallaby Sam Carter nor Ireland loosehead Jack McGrath made it through a brutal first half of rugby at The Rec.

8' Early change in the Ulster front row as Jack McGrath is forced off and replaced by Eric O'Sullivan.

BAT 0 ULS 0 #BATvULS #SUFTUMLive

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) November 16, 2019

First to go was McGrath who was forced to trudge off just 8 minutes into the first half. He appeared to be clutching his wrist.

Carter looked in serious discomfort following an incident in the 24th minute. The Wallaby then left the field with his arm in a makeshift team, suggesting a possible shoulder injury.

25' Sam Carter also forced off injured. Alan O'Connor comes on in the second row.

BAT 0 ULS 7#BATvULS #SUFTUMLive

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) November 16, 2019

Alongside Highlanders star Matt Faddes – McGrath and Carter were Ulster Rugby’s three big-ticket signings heading into the season.

The son of former Wallaby David Carter, Sam attended The Scots College in Sydney, before going on to represent Sydney University.

He made his debut for the Brumbies in 2011, against the Melbourne Rebels, and in 2018 he became just the twelfth player to make 100 appearances for the club. To date, he has earned 105 Super Rugby caps.

In February 2017, Carter was named as Brumbies co-captain alongside Christian Leali’ifano, who himself enjoyed a successful four-month stint at Ulster last season, and they have jointly led the side over the past two Super Rugby campaigns.

The 29-year-old made his Test debut against France in June 2014 and has earned 16 caps in total.

McGrath was first capped for Ireland in 2013 against Samoa and has won 54 caps for Ireland to date and featured in all three Tests on the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand. He is a Six Nations winner with Ireland in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

He made his debut for Leinster in 2010 against Glasgow Warriors and has made over 140 appearances for the Province, winning three Heineken European Cups, an Amlin Challenge Cup, a Guinness PRO14 title and two PRO12 titles.