
Rory Best looks likely to be ruled out for several weeks after sustaining a broken arm in Ireland's last-gasp 24-22 defeat by New Zealand.
The
Ulster and Lions hooker was forced off in the 15th minute of Sunday's
game at the Aviva Stadium, shortly after scoring Ireland's second try.An X-ray after the game revealed Best had suffered a fracture.
Best is set to miss several of Ulster's forthcoming matches, including the two Heineken Cup games against Treviso.
Next up for Ulster is the away Pro12 game against Zebre on Saturday, which is followed by the back-to-back European matches against the Italians on 7 December and 14 December.
The Irish province return to league action at home to Zebre on 20 December before the 28 December away match against Leinster.
There is also concern the fracture could endanger Best's prospects of being fit for the start of Six Nations, with Ireland opening their campaign against Scotland on 2 February.
Ulster have further worries ahead of next Saturday's clash against Zebre, with Iain Henderson (hamstring) and Lewis Stevenson (knee) both sustaining injuries in Friday's win over Edinburgh.
Both forwards are expected to be out of action for a number of weeks.
Number eight Nick Williams was forced to withdraw from the line-up to face Edinburgh with a recurrence of a calf injury and he is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.
Michael Allen will be assessed after coming off with a bang on the jaw, while Luke Marshall and Darren Cave were both victims of cramp, but should be fine to face Zebre.
The fitness of skipper Johann Muller will also be assessed before the squad to travel to Italy is finalised.
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