Thursday 30 October 2014 16:43, UK
Nathan White will miss Ireland's autumn internationals after suffering a ruptured tendon in his arm.
The New Zealand-born prop was in contention to make his Ireland debut in next month's game against South Africa at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
But a statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed the injury and said White will undergo surgery next week, ruling him out of South Africa's visit and subsequent games against Georgia and Australia.
The 33-year-old is expected to be out for up to four months, a timescale which would see him returning just before the start of next year's Six Nations.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt can ill-afford another front-row injury having already lost Marty Moore to a shoulder injury.
Mike Ross has been out with groin trouble but is expected to return to training in the run-up to the South Africa game, while Rodney Ah You, Stephen Archer and Jack McGrath are other options.
