Craig Gilroy dropped by Ulster as he is subject to “internal review” by Ulster and the IRFU

Gilroy will not be available for selection for Ulster’s clash with Edinburgh this weekend.

Ulster have confirmed that Craig Gilroy will not be available for the Guinness Pro14 clash with Edinburgh this Friday after the winger was linked to controversial WhatsApp messages used as evidence in the rape trial that concluded in Belfast last week. Gilroy's Ulster teammates Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding and two other men, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison, were acquitted of all charges in Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, 28 March. According to The Irish News, Gilroy was revealed to have used offensive terms about women in a WhatsApp conversation involving the defendants in the trial, which concluded with all four defendants being acquitted of all charges last week. A joint statement issued on Tuesday read: “Ulster Rugby and the IRFU confirm that, as Craig Gilroy is subject to an internal review, he will not be available for selection this weekend.” In a statement to The Irish News, Ulster Rugby had earlier said that it would be “inappropriate to comment” on the club’s position on Gilroy until a review process had been completed. “The IRFU and Ulster Rugby have advised that a review process in relation to this matter is under way and it would be inappropriate to comment on any matter pertaining to that process until it is completed,” a spokesman told the paper.