Ireland centre Garry Ringrose will miss his country’s next two Guinness Six Nations fixtures against Wales and England, after suffering a finger injury during their 19-12 win over Scotland in Round 1.
The 25-year-old was replaced by Robbie Henshaw at half-time in the closely-contested affair in Dublin, and he was later seen with heavy strapping on his thumb at full-time.
Henshaw could be in line for a spot in the XV this weekend, while Will Addison is also in the squad and will be hoping for a chance to impress.
Despite being unavailable for selection by new Ireland head coach Andy Farrell until at least the start of March – when the 2018 Grand Slam champions entertain Italy – Ringrose will remain connected with the squad as a member of the leadership group.
Other injury concerns raised from Saturday’s nervy victory surround Dave Kilcoyne and Caelan Doris, with the latter’s hotly-anticipated debut having been cut short following an accidental clash of heads with Adam Hastings.
Both Kilcoyne and Doris are proceeding through the HIA process, but could yet return for Saturday’s crunch clash against Wayne Pivac’s Wales, who crushed Italy 42-0 in their first fixture.
Elsewhere, Tadhg Furlong is being monitored having reported some calf tightness during Saturday’s match, while Leinster’s uncapped back rower Will Connors has been added to the squad.
Development players Ryan Baird, Robert Baloucoune and Harry Byrne have all returned to their respective provinces.
IRELAND SQUAD:
FORWARDS (20)
Will Connors (Leinster)
Max Deegan (Leinster)
Ultan Dillane (Connacht)
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Dave Heffernan (Connacht)
Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Rob Herring (Ulster)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)
Jack McGrath (Ulster)
Jack O’Donoghue (Munster)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
Andrew Porter (Leinster)
James Ryan (Leinster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Devin Toner (Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
BACKS (17)
Will Addison (Ulster)
Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Billy Burns (Ulster)
Ross Byrne (Leinster)
Andrew Conway (Munster)
John Cooney (Ulster)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Chris Farrell (Munster)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Dave Kearney (Leinster)
Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Luke McGrath (Leinster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster, unavailable until Round 4)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) CAPTAIN
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
