Ireland flyhalf Joey Carbery is set to miss the Six Nations tournament after suffering a wrist injury.
Carbery, 24, will be out of action for up to four months according to his Munster head coach Johann van Graan.
Ireland's Six Nations opener against Scotland is scheduled for February 1.
"That's rugby, I'm gutted for Joey as an individual," Van Graan was quoted as saying by The Irish Times on Wednesday.
"I care about the players and speaking to him on Monday afternoon when we got the news, obviously it's not nice news for him.
"He worked hard to get back into the position, he played the full 80 (minutes) for the first time for quite a while and now he is out for a considerable amount of time.
"He'll come back stronger, take his time and I can't wait to have him back in the future."
Carbery's absence is a blow for Ireland, with regular number 10 Jonny Sexton already a concern because of a knee injury.
On Monday, Leinster said Sexton was making "good progress" in his recovery from knee ligament damage.
Ireland open their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday February 1, 4:45pm local, Sunday 3:45am AEDT.
