Ireland Rugby: Ulster hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart nearing returns

Ulster hope to have hookers Tom Stewart and Rob Herring back in the “next couple weeks”.

Neither of the Irish internationals have featured this season with Andy Farrell’s side set to face the All Blacks in Dublin on 8 November.

Leinster pair Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher are both set to miss that Aviva Stadium encounter and the return of either Stewart or Herring in time would represent a significant boost to the depth in the position.

“The boys are in a good space, they’re both returning, both running,” said Ulster’s forwards coach Jimmy Duffy after the province’s 36-12 win over Ospreys on Friday night.

“Tom scrummed with us last week and Rob is not far off as well. Hopefully we’ll get those guys back on the paddock in the next couple of weeks.”

In the pair’s absence, young hooker James McCormick has appeared five times in the United Rugby Championship this season and scored his first pair of senior tries against the Ospreys.

“He’s been great,” added Duffy.

“I worked with James with the under-20s back in 21-22 and he’s been growing.

“This was his fifth cap and he looked really good. He is maturing and he’s got good people around him so it’s encouraging to see him coming through.”