Tommy Bowe’s season looks to be over after a procedure on his knee on Monday.
An initially suspected two-month hiatus for the Ulster winger has been extended to six, as revealed in a statement from Ulster Rugby, as an injury he sustained in Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina has been further analysed by doctors.
While the province described the operation as “successful”, the player will miss the remainder of Ulster’s 2015/16 season as well as Ireland’s upcoming RBS Six Nations campaign due to an injured posterior cruciate ligament and further meniscal damage.
Ulster will also be without Iain Henderson and Jared Payne for their European campaign until after Christmas.
One of Ireland’s stand-out performers during the World Cup, the 23-year-old will miss his provinces European Cup games against Oyonnax, Saracens and Toulouse.
Payne also required an operation, to stabilize his fractured. However, it is still uncertain how long he will be out of action.
“It’s a little frustrating,” said Ulster head coach Neil Doak.
“It is definitely is a blow to us to be without that experience and quality for such a long period of time.”
