Iain Henderson performs a "croc roll" on Deon Fourie during the URC clash between Ulster and the Stormers in Belfast on 8 May 2026. The game ended in a 38-38 draw.

Ulster captain Iain Henderson has received a three-game ban after an incident that saw him injure Stormers flanker Deon Fourie during last Friday’s URC clash in Belfast.

Henderson received a yellow card from Italian referee Andrea Piardi before it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card upon review.

Henderson performed a “croc roll” on Fourie.

A croc roll is a dangerous technique used to clear a jackaling player from a ruck by twisting or pulling them down.

Fourie suffered a knee injury that ended his season.

Henderson was cited under Law 9.20 (d) - A player may remove the jackler from the tackle area, but must not roll, pull or twist an opponent.

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Henderson appeared before an Independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Roddy MacLeod (Chair), Alasdair Craig and Jonathan Rennie (all Scotland), and accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

The committee deemed that the act was reckless and merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks for sanctioning.

However, Henderson received the maximum 50% mitigation because of his previous good disciplinary record (one suspension in a 15-year playing career), remorse, showing immediate concern for Fourie and co-operation during the process.

Henderson was therefore only banned for three matches.

He will miss Ulster’s URC clash against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday, the EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, and potentially a URC quarter-final.

Should Ulster fail to make the URC play-offs, the Ireland lock will also miss the Nations Championship clash against Australia on 4 July.