The Munster number eight Denis Leamy has been ruled out of Ireland's defence of their Six Nations title with a knee injury.
Leamy was injured in the closing stages of the Irish province's 37-14 European Cup pool win away to French club Perpignan and could be out for up to six months.
He won the last of his 43 caps in Ireland's 41-6 thrashing of Fiji in Dublin in November.
Ireland begins the defence of its Six Nations title at home to Italy on February 6.
