DAN SILENT ON KITSHOFF APPROACH

ULSTER head coach Dan Mcfarland has refused to be drawn on speculation linking the province with a move for Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff.

According to Rugbypass, the Kingspan Stadium club was keen on bolstering its roster with the Stormers loosehead (inset) who has won 59 caps for South Africa.

But it is understood Kitshoff doesn’t have an exit clause in his contract, meaning Ulster would have to pay a hefty ‘transfer fee’ for the 29-year-old.

And that means the experienced front row forward, who featured against England in the 2019 World Cup final, could be heading to France instead.

Asked for a reaction to Ulster being linked with Kitshoff, Mcfarland said: “I know who he is, but obviously we’re not going to comment on speculation around recruitment.

“That’s something that we get on with and we announce when it’s done.”

Kitshoff’s Springbok teammate Duane Vermeulen, who recently agreed a deal with Ulster, will join up with the province after playing for the Barbarians against Samoa at Twickenham this weekend.

Meanwhile, Mcfarland has revealed that captain Iain Henderson could “potentially” miss next month’s European clashes with Clermont and Northampton with a hamstring injury.

Henderson is expected to be out for several weeks after breaking down during Ireland’s warm-up prior to Sunday’s Autumn Nations Series win over Argentina.

And that means the 29-year-old is a major doubt for a Champions Cup trip to Clermont on December 11 and home clash with Northampton on December 17.

Asked if Henderson’s injury puts him in jeopardy for Europe, Mcfarland said: “Potentially yes. It’ll certainly be a few weeks.”

Ulster return to URC action against Leinster in Dublin this weekend.