Ulster hooker Rob Herring looks to be a doubt for the start of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign because of an arm injury.
The South African-born hooker picked up his injury in training during the week.
“The prognosis is probably not great, he might be out for a while,” said Ulster head coach Dan McFarland.
“He is going to see the surgeon at the start of next week and we will find out the length of the injury then.”
Andy Farrell is expected to name his extended squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday 17 January.
Ireland’s first game in the competition is on Friday 2 February against France in Marseille.
Herring has won 39 Ireland caps and was part of Farrell’s World Cup squad in France.
He played in Ireland’s opening World Cup wins over Romania and Tonga but then dropped out of the matchday squad for the country’s remaining games in France as Farrell preferred Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher.
Herring scored the match-clinching try over England last March when Ireland secured the Six Nations Grand Slam.
