Ulster and Ireland have been hit with a double injury blow, with Andrew Trimble ruled out for several months with a toe injury, and team-mate Luke Marshall sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury.
Trimble suffered significant ligament damage to his big toe in the Ulstermen's 29-19 victory over Glasgow Warriors in the PRO12 and is set to miss several months of action. However, Ulster are seeking a second medical opinion.
The injury makes it highly unlikely that the Derry man will feature in Ulster’s Rugby Champions Cup games this month, and in early December.
He is also also ruled out of Ireland's upcoming autumn internationals against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.
His Ulster team-mate Marshall, meanwhile, has also been ruled out for a six-week period with a knee ligament injury, meaning the centre will also miss the autumn internationals, although the 23-year-old should return in time for Ulster’s back-to-back Champions Cup games against Scarlets in December.
