Paul O'Connell will miss the Celtic League final at the start of February after it was confirmed the Munster lock suffered a broken thumb during last night's semi-final victory over Ulster.
O'Connell, back to his rampaging best at Thomond Park last night, a tyro at the breakdown and regularly punching holes in the Ulster defence, will be out of action for up to six weeks having fractured his thumb with 20 minutes remaining.
Not only will O'Connell miss the Celtic League final at the Millennium Stadium, but he is also ruled out of Munster's outstanding European Cup group ties - against Perpignan and Gloucester - and the injury leaves only an outside chance of the 23-year-old making the Six Nations opener on February 16th.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney is likely to rely on the services of veteran second row Mick Galwey in O'Connell's absence.
O'Connell has been unlucky with injuries since he burst onto the scene in 2001. The big lock was sidelined for over a year with a back injury last season and only returned to action in November.