Ulster's Coetzee out for nine months

Ulster's former Springbok, Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out for nine months with an ACL injury. 

The back-row has had recurrent problems with his left knee since his arrival at the province in early 2017.

He missed a large amount of last season after he sustained an injury to his ACL whilst playing for the Sharks in Super Rugby. 

He played in Ulster's season opener in the Pro 14 but another knee injury has seen him miss a further 5 games this season.

 The Ulster Rugby medical team issued the following medical update on his latest injury: "Marcell Coetzee underwent surgery this week in South Africa."

"He has had recurrent left knee problems because of a laxity in his previously repaired ACL, and to repair this he has had revision surgery performed on this ligament. 

"His anticipated return to play time is 9 months."