Ireland coach Joe Schmidt's injury concerns increased with the confirmation that Ulster's talented inside centre Stuart Olding sustained significant ligament damage to his elbow against Toulon on Saturday afternoon in the Stade Felix Mayol, an injury that will require surgery.

Olding will be out for between 10 and 12 weeks. Coincidentally Ulster outhalf Paddy Jackson suffered a dislocated elbow in the same game and his recovery schedule has been mapped at 10-12 weeks. Both Olding and Jackson are likely to miss the entire Six Nations Championship.

Ulster's South African wing cum fullback Louis Ludik fractured a rib against Toulon and will be out until the end of February.

Meanwhile Connacht and Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw suffered an ankle sprain while playing for Connacht against the Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. He will miss Saturday's trip to France where the Irish province take on La Rochelle in their final European Challenge Cup pool match.