Tuesday 21 October 2014 17:33, UK
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will be without Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall for the autumn internationals after Ulster confirmed the pair have sustained injuries.
Winger Trimble is expect to be facing a "period of months" on the sidelines after suffering significant ligament damage to his big toe during Ulster’s Guinness PRO12 win over Glasgow Warriors.
Meanwhile, a knee injury picked up whilst playing for Ulster Ravens at the weekend is set to keep centre Marshall out of action for six weeks.
A statement from Ulster Rugby revealed: "Ulster Rugby, in conjunction with the national medical staff, will seek second opinion on the management of the injury, however it's is expected that Trimble will be out of rugby for a period of months. A further update on his injury will be released later in the week.”
Should Trimble need a lengthy lay-off, the influential winger, who has already chalked up four PRO12 tries in six appearances this term, will miss crucial domestic and European Rugby Champions Cup matches for the Ulstermen.
Ireland boss Schmidt will now have to plan without the reigning IRUPA Players' Player of the Year for the November Tests against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.
Trimble, who turned 30 on Monday, was a key member of the Six Nations title-winning side last season, starting all five Championship fixtures as well as the two summer Tests against Argentina.
Meanwhile, centre Marshall, 23, took his Ireland caps haul to six with starts against Scotland and Argentina last season.
