Ulster and Ireland winger Andrew Trimble will miss the rest of this season following confirmation a reoccurrence of the toe injury that he sustained in October against Glasgow Warriors.
Trimble suffered significant ligament damage to his big toe in that game.
He underwent surgery in London today and is expected to be out of rugby until the summer.
It is anticipated that he will make a full recovery ahead of pre-season and the Rugby World Cup.
Trimble was one of the stars of Ireland's victorious 2014 Six Nations campaign, scoring tries against Scotland, Italy and France.
He was named Irish Rugby Writers Player of the Year and Irish Rugby Union Players' Association Player of the Year for his exploits.
