Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne (35) will miss the Six Nations after his club Munster said he would be out for at least six months following shoulder surgery.
Munster said Kilcoyne had the operation on Thursday.
Kilcoyne has 56 caps and made four appearances as a replacement in last year's World Cup in France, as well as playing in Ireland's Grand Slam triumph.
Ireland's first Six Nations match is against France in Marseille on February 2nd.