There was further bad news for Ireland and Ulster when Paddy Jackson had to leave the field in the first half of the Champions Cup match against Toulon on Saturday.

If initial observations are accurate, that Jackson has a suspected elbow dislocation, it gives Ireland coach Joe Schmidt further headaches at outhalf for the opening match of the Six Nations Championship against Italy in Rome on February 7th.

First pick Johnny Sexton will miss the game because of a concussion injury, with Jackson, who has just recently returned to playing after a shoulder injury he picked up at the end of November, now looking likely to be unavailable.

That brings Munster's Ian Keatley and Leinster's Ian Madigan into the picture as Irish outhalves for Ireland's opening match, although, Madigan was again picked by Leinster coach Matt O'Connor to play at inside centre against Castres.

Jackson was initially omitted from Schmidt’s Irish squad for the November Series but had been playing well since his return to Ulster. Keatley, Madigan and Sexton provided the outhalf cover for Schmidt in November.