Munster

and Ireland prop

Dave Kilcoyne

is set the miss the start of the

Six Nations

Championship as a result of the knee injury he suffered in the round three European

Champions Cup

pool match against Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park.

The UL Bohemian loosehead who missed last Sunday’s second instalment against the French club in the Stade Marcel Michelin has been diagnosed with a knee problem that will require six to eight weeks rehabilitation.

It’s a tough blow for Kilcoyne who having played in the two summer Tests against Argentina re-established himself in the Ireland squad – James Cronin was initially selected but withdrew through injury – during the November Test series. He came on as a replacement in the victory over South Africa and then started against Georgia, scoring his first international try in his 12th Test.

Extended game time

Cronin’s shoulder problem is ongoing. He missed the game in France last weekend and Munster coach Anthony Foley is awaiting an update on his injury. John Ryan looks like getting extended game time over the Christmas period while former Puma

Eusebio Guinazu

, who signed as a hooker, can also play prop.

There was further bad news for Munster when medical tests appeared to show that South African born wing Gerhard van den Heever suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, like Kilcoyne, in the first game against Clermont Auvergne. He is expected to have surgery at the end of the month and if the damage is as bad as indicated it could spell the end of his season.

Mike Sherry, who had been rehabbing a shoulder injury, underwent a third shoulder operation on Monday in London. Last August the hooker underwent a second shoulder stabilisation and despite an intensive four month period of rehabilitation he experienced persistent symptoms that prevented him from progressing through the relevant phases of his return to play protocol.

Centre Andrew Smith requires further assessment on a knee injury sustained in the final minute of the game against France as does scrumhalf Cathal Sheridan who is still bothered by an arm problem. Paddy Butler, however, should be available for this weekend’s game against the Glasgow Warriors.

Andrew Warwick

(23) has signed his first senior contract with

Ulster

. The

loosehead prop has agreed a two-year deal that will see him remain at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2017.