Leinster have confirmed that James Ryan has had an operation on an arm injury and will be assessed over the coming weeks.
The 27-year-old suffered a bicep injury at Ireland training on 7 March prior to the Guinness Six Nations match against England.
At the time, Ireland boss Andy Farrell said he would miss the rest of the championship.
"Just a freak accident really, just a reaction, reaching out for a tackle that was non-contact and he’s injured his bicep," he said.
"James Ryan had a procedure on an arm injury and will be assessed over the coming weeks regarding a return to play date," said the province, who travel to Zebre Parma in round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday (7.35pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
Leo Cullen's side, who are top of the URC standings, host the Bulls on 29 March before an Investec Champions Cup round of 16 tie at home to Leicester on 6 April.
Ryan (above) was pictured with heavy bandaging on his arm while watching Ireland beat Scotland on Saturday to retain their Six Nations title.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport on Monday afternoon, senior coach Jacques Nienaber suggested that the Tigers game would more than likely come too soon for the Dubliner.
"I don't have a timeframe," said the former Springboks coach.
"We just saw him in a cast like the majority of the world.
"Talking with my limited physio background, he probably won’t be ready for the round of 16 but we’ll have to see how things go further on with his injury and his rehab."
Full-back Hugo Keenan, who was a late withdrawal with a hip injury, will also be assessed when he returns to Leinster. Nienaber said: "All I've heard from the camp was that it was a hip injury.
"He did some training last week – this is what I heard from Ireland, I haven’t spoken to him so I’ve got no clue – they gave him some opportunity in the warm-up and then he didn’t get through the warm-up and that’s when they withdrew him so other than that, I’ve got no clue."
Utility back Ciarán Frawley is continuing to follow the graduated return-to-play protocols having been released from Ireland camp last week and will be further assessed as the week progresses.
Winger Tommy O’Brien picked up a hamstring injury last week and will be unavailable for selection, while scrum-half Cormac Foley will be further assessed this week as he nears a return from a shoulder injury.
Flanker Martin Moloney will be further assessed this week as he nears a return from a bicep injury.
There were no further updates on Alex Soroka (foot), Charlie Ngatai (calf) and Jimmy O’Brien (neck).
Watch France v Ireland in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday from 1.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch a URC double-header, Connacht v Emirates Lions (5.15pm) and Zebre v Leinster (7.35pm), on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Watch Italy v England in the Women's Six Nations on Sunday from 2.50pm on RTÉ Player
