Rónan Kelleher will miss the remainder of the Six Nations due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Ireland's loss to France in last Saturday's Six Nations clash.
Confirmation of the extent of the injury is a blow to Andy Farrell's plans for the remainder of the championship.
Having beaten Wales in the opening weekend before losing to France, Ireland face Italy in round three at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday week, then there is another weekend off before the final two rounds against England (away) and Scotland (home).
