Robbie Henshaw has emerged as a significant doubt for Ireland's forthcoming November series against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina due to a foot injury.
The 29-year-old centre carried his form with Leinster and Ireland into the Lions tour in South Africa when he played every minute of the Lions' Test series against South Africa and, all being well, would be one of Andy Farrell's first names on the teamsheet.
But Leo Cullen has admitted that the player's injury is likely to delay his seasonal return for Leinster beyond next week's trek to Glasgow.
“He has an issue with his foot and it’s just been a little slower than we would have thought so it’s unlikely he will play in this block but hopefully he won’t be too far behind after that.
“He’s such a key player, Robbie, for Ireland and Leinster, and I think you saw with the Lions as well. In the past he’s come back reasonably seamlessly off the back of breaks with the various different injuries that he’s had. He tends to come back in a good place. He’s training away but he’s just not able to play right now. I think once he’s back he’ll be able to go straight back in, whatever team that is with.”
As to whether Henshaw might still be named in the Irish squad next week with a view to being fit for the Japanese game in a fortnight’s time, Cullen admitted: “Yeah, good question. Week by week.”
