Ulster could be without Tommy Bowe for the opening three months of the season. 

The Ireland winger had exploratory surgery today to assess extent of ligament damage affecting the wrist he broke during the Lions tour this Summer.

The Ulster winger was originally out of the tour after breaking a bone in his hand during the win against Queensland Reds on June 8th.

But he was able to make a return with the help of a special glove to protect the damaged digit. 

Bowe also suffered injury problems, including knee ligament damage in December.