Kempson is missing out on the World Cup for a second time

Ulster prop Robbie Kempson is confident that he will be fit for the beginning of the Heineken Cup campaign in early December.

An elbow injury ruled Kempson out of the South African World Cup squad and the prop underwent an operation earlier last week.

The surgery proved a success and Kempson is looking forward to returning to Ireland next month.

"The stitches will be taken out later today," Kempson told this website on Friday.

"I'll be going back to Northern Ireland on 26 October and my main rehabilitation will be under the direction of the Ulster conditioning coach Phil Mack and physio Gareth Robinson.

"I'm very hopeful that I will be ready for the start of the Heineken Cup".

Ulster will open their Heineken Cup campaign with a game against Welsh side Gwent Dragons on the weekend of 5/7 December.

Kempson said he was "gutted" to miss out of the World Cup for the second time in his career.

"But there will be a lot of disappointed players before the World Cup starts so I've just got to move on".

Meanwhile, Ulster have allowed prop Rod Moore to return home to Australia to play for his club Eastwood in the Toohey's Cup semi-final this weekend.

Moore arrived in Ulster at the beginning of September with clearance from his club, province and the Australian Rugby Union with the provisio that should his club require him, he would return home.