Looks like Ireland are set to be hit with another long term injury casualty with Tommy Bowe set to be on the sidelines for a period of 6-9 months with a knee ligament injury.
The IRFU have not spoken on Bowe's fitness since the team returned to Dublin at the start of the week but the winger was spotted in Dublin airport on crutches and with a knee brace fitted.
Reports have now emerged in the Belfast Telegraph that Bowe will likely miss the entire season, including Ireland's Six Nations campaign, with the knee injury that he sustained against Argentina. And if the 6-9 months time frame is accurate it is likely that Bowe has the same ACL injury that has also claimed Munster captain and Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony.
It is a cruel blow to the Monaghan man who has endured a luckless time of it with injuries since returning to the Ulster setup three and a half years ago. The two time Lions winger has dealt with kidney, knee and wrist problems and this injury will likely mean that Bowe will be 32 when he pulls on an Ulster jersey again.
It's the latest blow to Ireland's Six Nations hopes with Peter O'Mahony set to miss the competiton and Jared Payne absent until December at the earliest with the foot injury that he picked up against Romania.
