Ireland have been dealt a blow as Tommy Bowe will miss next year's Six Nations.

The Ulster winger has been ruled out for six months with a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee, which he suffered during the early stages of Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina.

The 31-year-old is now unlikely to play again this season after he had surgery to repair the injury yesterday.

Ireland kick off next year's Six Nations against Wales in Cardiff on February 7th, with the fifth and final match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on March 19th.