Rugby:Ulster centre Darren Cave has been ruled out for up to six weeks after it was confirmed today that he sustained a ligament injury in his foot during last Friday's 41-7 win over Leicester at Ravenhill.

The 24-year-old underwent an MRI scan in Belfast today that revealed the extent of the damage and he will miss Ulster’s key Heineken Cup clash away to Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

Cave was also likely to have been included in extended Ireland squad for the upcoming Six Nations and ‘A’ international matches, which will be named on Wednesday afternoon.

Cave missed large parts of last season with a hamstring injury but came back this season with some outstanding performances in the Ulster midfield.

The timeline of his injury would see him return in time for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals if Ulster can claim a spot this weekend.