Monday 10 July 2017 15:53, UK
Leinster centre Garry Ringrose has been ruled out for four to five months after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The 22-year-old suffered the injury during Leinster's PRO12 semi-final defeat to the Scarlets but was nevertheless deemed fit enough to take part in Ireland's summer tour of the USA and Japan.
Ringrose aggravated the injury during the tour, in which he scored two tries and a conversion during the three matches, and it was decided upon his return to Ireland that surgery was required to fix the problem.
A statement released by Leinster read: "Leinster Rugby can confirm that Garry Ringrose underwent an operation last Monday.
"The operation to address an ongoing shoulder issue was successful but Ringrose will be out for four to five months, depending on his rehabilitation.
"Ringrose started in all three of Ireland's summer tour fixtures against USA and Japan, scoring two tries and kicking one conversion.
"This came at the end of a season in which Ringrose started 17 games for Leinster (nine Guinness PRO12, eight Champions Cup), scoring seven tries (four PRO12, three Champions Cup)."
The injury makes Ringrose a doubt for Ireland's autumn international fixtures against South Africa (November 12), Fiji (November 18) and Argentina (November 25).
Ringrose's centre partner for Leinster and Ireland, Robbie Henshaw, has already been ruled out for four months after having surgery on a chest he suffered while on tour with the British and Irish Lions.
Johnny Sexton and Sean O'Brien are due to have scans on the ankle and shoulder injuries respectively in Auckland on Monday, after both were forced off during the Lions' third Test against New Zealand.
