Johnny Sexton has had an operation on his cheekbone and is a serious doubt for Ireland's 2023 Six Nations campaign.
Sexton, 37, suffered the injury when he was involved in a head on head collision with Connacht's Jarrad Butler in last Sunday's URC victory for the Blues at the RDS.
It was his first start for the province since the win over Munster on October 22, and the Leinster and Ireland skipper and out-half only played in one of the November internationals due to injury.
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"I haven't [spoken to him] personally, but I imagine a few boys would have reached out to him," said Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde.
"It’s good that he’s had the procedure. Now you set your timelines and goals, whatever they may be."
For Andy Farrell, it is not the way he wanted his talisman to start the year and, for Leinster, it means Sexton is ruled out for the URC clash away to the Ospreys at the weekend before the final Champions Cup pool games against Gloucester and Racing 92.
Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign in Cardiff on February 4 against Wales, followed by a home clash with France a week later.
In terms of timelines, Sexton certainly looks likely to miss out on those games and it remains to be seen if he will participate at all in what is due to be his last championship, bar a change of mind after the Rugby World Cup in September and October.
Munster's Joey Carbery is poised to step up as Ireland's first choice out-half in Sexton's absence, with his provincial colleague Jack Crowley in the picture for selection after making his full Test debut against Australia, while Leinster's Ross Byrne is also in the conversation and some big displays in the coming weeks could cement his place in Farrell's plans.
In terms of Leinster's other injury concerns, Luke McGrath and Max Deegan have been ruled out of Saturday's clash after suffering an ankle injury.
Tadhg Furlong and Will Connors will again look to step up their rehab programmes from ankle and bicep injuries respectively.
There are no further updates on Thomas Clarkson (arm), Ed Byrne (knee), Jason Jenkins (hamstring), Robbie Henshaw (wrist), Martin Moloney (knee), Ciarán Frawley (knee), Charlie Ryan (knee) and Tommy O’Brien (knee).
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