Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's front row options took another hit on Saturday evening after Leinster lost loosehead prop Jack Boyle to a leg injury after 20 minutes of the team's URC victory over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium.
Already without Andrew Porter, for the opening rounds, and Paddy McCarthy longer term, Boyle's injury leaves Farrell low on loosehead forwards just 12 days out from their opening Guinness Six Nations game against France.
Boyle collapsed to the ground following a scrum in the 20th minute, clutching his right leg, and while Leinster head coach Leo Cullen didn't go into detail about the extent of the injury, he admits he could be without the 24-year-old for some time.
"It didn't look great," he said, after his side's 34-23 win.
"It looks like he'll be out for a while though, unfortunately. I'll find out, let's get the exact specifics on Monday."
The injury to Boyle leaves both Ireland and Leinster low on loosehead depth.
From an Irish perspective, Munster's Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne were also named in Farrell's squad, while Ulster's Tom O'Toole and Connacht's Finlay Bealham could potentially cover.
Leinster's loosehead options are running even lower, with 20-year-old Alex Usanov, who is yet to make his senior debut, and Jerry Cahir - plucked from Lansdowne in the AIL - the only senior squad options available ahead of next week's meeting with Edinburgh.
And Cullen suggested he an emergency signing may have to be on the cards, depending on how serious Boyle's injury is.
"Unfortunately that's part of the game," he said.
"We will see how he is at the start of the week and get an exact update for you. Nobody likes to see that.
"Alex was here today, he did a warm-up, so he's on hand ready to go. We'll be doing a trawl.
"I just need to figure out exactly the extent of the injuries and make a plan then yeah, definitely."
