Ulster Rugby have confirmed that Irish back rower Stephen Ferris will miss the next six weeks as he struggles to recover from a recurrence of a knee injury in the wake of the World Cup.

Ferris sustained the knee injury during Ireland's second Test against Argentina in June but was passed fit to be included in the Irish World Cup squad after undergoing an arthroscopy.

But since returning from France Ferris has flared up again and the 22-year-old has been unable to play or train with the province.

Ferris will now miss both Ulster's opening game in the Heineken Cup, against Gloucester, as well as their trip to Borgoin a week later but could be back in time to face the Ospreys in back-to-back Celtic League fixtures.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport