Ireland have suffered a setback ahead of the Six Nations after scrum-half Luke McGrath was sidelined for at least eight weeks due to a knee injury.

The 25-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Leinster in their Champions Cup victory over Toulouse at the RDS Arena last weekend.

Ireland are of course expected to start Conor Murray in their opening match, at home against England, but the replacement jersey is up for grabs next month, especially with Ulster‘s John Cooney and Connacht‘s Kieran Marmion currently battling to return from respective injuries.

Murray recently made his return from a neck injury and impressed for Munster in the European win over Gloucester at Kingsholm last Friday.

After Ireland take on England on Saturday, February 3, they then go on to face Scotland (away), Italy (away), France (home) and Wales (away).