Sean Cronin looks set to miss the entirety of Ireland's upcoming Six Nations campaign after being sidelined with what Stuart Lancaster has described as a "significant hamstring injury".
Cronin looks set to miss 10 weeks, the Irish province said today at a press briefing, with scans revealing the full extent of an injury suffered during Leinster's victory over Zebre at the RDS.
"It’s quite a significant hamstring injury," Lancaster said this afternoon. "It’s a real shame for him as he’s actually playing great rugby but it’s a good opportunity for us to get him right and make sure we don’t get a recurrence of this because it must be hugely frustrating for him."
Joe Schmidt will assess his options next week at Carton House ahead of their campaign opener against Scotland on February 4. Ireland will travel to Murrayfield next month in the hopes of regaining their Six Nations crown.
Ireland's last game is at home to England on March 18, by which time Cronin will be hoping to nearing an end to his stint on the sidelines.
Sean Cronin pulls up against Zebre during Leinster's Guinness PRO12 clash at the RDS. Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Doubts will also remain as to his availability for Leinster's Champions Cup quarter-final clash at the start of April.
There was some good news today for Leo Cullen's side, with Johnny Sexton having successfully passed all of his HIA (Head Injury Assessment) tests. Sexton required lengthy treatment after a sustaining a high tackle from Montpellier's Francois Steyn. The South African was shown a red card for his challenge.
Isa Nacewa, Sean O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw will also be subject to further assessment later in the week ahead of Leinster's final Champions Cup pool game against French side Castres.
They travel to the Stade Pierre-Antoine on Friday.
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