Ireland captain Keith Wood is almost certain to miss Ireland's opening two games of the Six Nations after enduring a further injury setback.
Wood's club Harlequins today announced that he is not expected back in full training for around eight weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Wood, 31 later this month and with 51 caps under his belt, is unlikely to play again until early March.
Such a scenario would rule him out of Ireland's Six Nations appointments with Scotland on February 16th and Italy six days later, a major blow for Eddie O'Sullivan's side.
He could also struggle to make the Lansdowne Road clash against reigning champions France on March 8th, leaving Ireland's final two fixtures - Wales and England are their opponents - as his only realistic targets.
Wood, whose recent career has been blighted by injury setbacks, missed Ireland's entire autumn Test series against Australia, Argentina and Fiji. On that occasion, he had a neck problem.
He last played for his country almost four months ago, captaining them to a 35-3 World Cup qualifying victory against Russia in Krasnoyarsk, when he scored one of Ireland's four tries. Indeed, Wood has managed just 20 minutes of competitive action since September when he featured as a substitute in the English league last month.
Brian O'Driscoll, who deputised as captain in Wood's absence, is likely to lead Ireland into the Six Nations arena, while Leinster's Shane Byrne should keep his place in the front row.
Wood had arthroscopic surgery last weekend, described as a complete success, which will be reviewed by his consultant in three weeks' time.
"It is disappointing and frustrating for Keith that he has suffered this minor problem so soon after coming back from his previous injury," said Harlequins team manager Mike Scott.
"However, it is good news that the arthroscopy was a success, and we look forward to seeing Keith back in action just as soon as he is fit."