Tommy Bowe is set to miss the 2016 RBS 6 Nations after it was confirmed that a knee injury will rule him out of action for at least another six months.
Bowe also missed the 2014 Championship through injury but Ireland won it without him – and they will have to do so again as they bid to secure a hat-trick of consecutive titles next year.
The 31-year-old started every game at this year’s RBS 6 Nations and crossed twice at the Rugby World Cup before injury struck him down in Ireland’s quarter-finals defeat to Argentina.
It comes as bad news for his club Ulster who will also be without Ireland stars Iain Henderson and Jared Payne after they too were both injured during the World Cup.
A statement from Ulster Rugby said: “Tommy (Bowe) sustained posterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries to his right knee during the Rugby World Cup quarter final against Argentina. He had successful surgery to repair the damage yesterday and he will be ruled out for at least six months.”
Click here to view the 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixture list
