Ulster have confirmed that Tommy Bowe is to miss six months after sustaining posterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries during Ireland's loss to Argentina in the World Cup.

Bowe and team mate Iain Henderson are to miss Ulster's opening two games in the Champions Cup, away to Oyonnax and home to Saracens. Henderson is to undergo surgery to stablise a joint in his hand and will be out for at least six weeks, putting his participation in the back to back games with Toulouse.

Jared Payne was Ireland's first injury loss of the World Cup and Ulster have confirmed this morning that his fractured foot was stabilised to surgery but his return is still unknown.

The news will come as a major blow to Les Kiss, the new Director of Rugby at Ulster who joined the province after Ireland's World Cup elimination. Neil Doak, remains the head coach at the Kingspan Stadium after the arrival of Kiss.