Leinster fly-half Joey Carbery is facing a race against time to make the Ireland squad for the start of the RBS 6 Nations.
Carbery, 21, suffered an ankle injury in Leinster’s European Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints on December 9 and has since undergone surgery for “syndesmosis repair” on the ankle – ruling him out for several weeks.
The tournament gets underway for Ireland at Murrayfield against Scotland on February 4 and 24 hours later, defending champions England host France, while Wales face a trip to Italy.
Carbery made his debut for Joe Schmidt’s side in the autumn internationals against the All Blacks, and has made three appearances in total.
Meanwhile, Ulster’s Jared Payne has already been sidelined for Ireland’s first three games against Scotland, Italy and France with a kidney problem.
However, the centre could return for key clashes against Wales and England.
Ireland are sweating on the fitness of wing Dave Kearney, who is also working his way back from ankle surgery.
Leinster’s Kearney had surgery in October, but his club coach Stuart Lancaster said this week he will be back “ in six weeks”.
A Leinster club statement said: “Carbery had an ankle operation last week for syndesmosis repair and will be out of action for up to eight weeks.
“Kearney saw a specialist last week and had an operation on an ankle injury. He will be out for up to six weeks.”
