Ulster lock Dan Tuohy is facing a length lay-off after sustaining a suspected fracture to his right forearm in the win over Cardiff Blues.

The 29-year-old Irish international had not long maintained his amazing run of scoring in each of his side’s three Pro12 games this season when he left the field in the 61st minute holding his right wrist.

Ulster defence coach Jonny Bell confirmed after the game that Tuohy would be going to hospital for X-Rays and that the early fears were he would be out for some time.

“Dan has been immense for us so far this season and has become our top try scorer. The injury is in the same arm in which he had a plate inserted following a previous injury and it doesn’t look good,” explained Bell.

“We don’t want to pre-empt what might happen, but it looks as though he has broken it again. The good thing for us is that we have strength in depth in almost every position this season.

“It will be a huge blow for us if we do lose Dan, but the way the side played in beating a very competitive Cardiff Blues side we are moving in the right direction. They really took it to us and threw their big ball carriers at us, but the defence was magnificent.

“The game was won by our forwards. The set-pieces were rock solid and our driving line-out worked a treat.”