Bowe out of Six Nations

Ireland has been dealt a major blow with the news that Ulster wing Tommy Bowe has been ruled out of the Six Nations due to a knee injury.

Bowe faces four months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during last Saturday's defeat to Northampton Saints at Ravenhill and undergoing surgery on Wednesday.

Bowe will also miss Ulster's remaining Heineken Cup pool games against Glasgow and Castres in January as well as several Pro12 games.

The injury will also affect the wing’s chances of making the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia.

“Tommy Bowe has undergone successful surgery on his knee and is now expected to be out for approximately four months,” Ulster confirmed in a statement.