Ireland will have to make do without Ulster pair Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding for the Six Nations.
The Northern province have issued a grim injury update this afternoon stating that both players are sidelined for "between 10 to 12 weeks", bring their recovery periods up to March 31 at the earliest. The Six Nations concludes on March 21.
Fly-half Jackson will require surgery after suffering a dislocated elbow in Saturday’s defeat by Toulon at Stade Mayol, while centre Olding also sustained an elbow knock against the French giants which has resulted in ligament damage that also needs an operation to repair.
However, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, would have welcomed the news of Iain Henderson's imminent return.
Squad Update: Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are out for up to 12 weeks - Louis Ludik out until end of Feb. http://t.co/llxT6p8GTd
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 20, 2015
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