Connacht are awaiting the results of scans on Mack Hansen's foot and hand injuries and have ruled him out of contention for this Saturday's URC clash against Sharks at Dexcom Stadium (7.45pm).
The full-back was withdrawn in the second half of Ireland's 24-13 defeat to South Africa on Saturday with what is believed to be a recurrence of a foot injury.
The 27-year-old first suffered the injury while on British and Irish Lions duty during the summer and was also injured in his comeback game for Connacht in their URC loss to Bulls at the end of October.
He scored a hat-trick against his native Australia in Ireland's third November international in his first start at full-back, but had his right hand heavily strapped at training on the Friday before the loss to the Springboks.
However, he showed no ill-effects from either injury until withdrawn in the 64th minute of the match at Aviva Stadium.
Connacht don't have a timeline for his return but indicated that they would not push the player back before he is fully recovered.
"He's disappointed with the setback but understands we can only do what we can do so we'll wait," senior assistant coach Rod Seib told RTÉ Sport.
"We'll be patient knowing that this time of the year we're quite fortunate to have so many healthy bodies so we've certainly got good people in our back three.
"In saying that, he'll add value when he does return.
"You don't want to have a patchy season of in and out all the time and trying to balance his Ireland commitments with Connacht's.
The bad injury news keeps coming for Andy Farrell and Ireland – and there could be more to come on Tuesday when Connacht provide an update on Mack Hansen. pic.twitter.com/YR7tjGFSfh
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 24, 2025
"It's something that's to the forefront of our mind so we want to make sure he has a good opportunity to be at his best for Ireland but also at his best for us.
"It will be a bit of a balancing act but hopefully he'll be on the selection table soon."
Seib joined the club from Brumbies over the summer with the Australian handed responsibilities for the Connacht attack.
"He's incredibly important, just to have him in the team room, to have him adding value to team meetings, his rugby IQ is first class," added Seib of Hansen's importance to the team, who sit in 12th position in the URC table with just one win from four games.
"We really value that side of it.
"He's been frustrated because he hasn't had a run of games.
"I know prior to the weekend he was keen to come back to Connacht and get straight back in.
"He didn't want to have a break, he was keen to get a run of games under his belt."
Three other Connacht players - Bundee Aki, Cian Prendergast and Finlay Bealham - also featured against the world champions, and all are available for selection against the Sharks.
Back David Hawkshaw (head), back rows Oisin McCormick (hamstring) and Seamus Hurley-Langton (shoulder), and hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin (calf) are unavailable this week, while second row Oisín Dowling's return after knee surgery has been pushed out to February, the club said.
Meanwhile Ulster will be without centre Stuart McCloskey for Friday's URC clash with Benetton at Affidea Stadium.
The powerful centre (below) had a turbulent November series, making a rare Test start the defeat to New Zealand before injuring his groin.
After missing the game against Japan, the 32-year-old recovered to face Australia only to suffer the same injury again.
He missed the defeat to world champions South Africa and is not part of the squad travelling to Italy for the round six game.
Fellow internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney have all returned from international camp and are available for selection.
An ankle injury sustained while playing for Ireland XV in their recent victory over Spain rules Michael Lowry out, while Juarno Augustus (arm) and Cormac Izuchukwu (foot) have resumed training and will be assessed later in the week.
