Cian Healy could miss Six Nations after hamstring surgery

Ireland prop Cian Healy could miss next year's Six Nations after undergoing surgery on Friday for a torn hamstring.

The 26-year-old loosehead picked up the injury during Leinster training during the week.

At first it was believed the injury would only keep him out for a couple of weeks, but scans showed up a complete tear in the hamstring, with Leinster coach Matt O’Connor believing it could be four or five months before Healy is back to full fitness.

Speaking after Leinster’s bonus-point victory over Cardiff at the RDS on Friday night, O Connor said: “Cian, in training on Wednesday, strained his hamstring. There was nothing in it really, he was just running up the pitch.

“Unfortunately the scans revealed that he had torn it off the bone which needed surgery today to repair it. He will need four or five months. “The reality is there are not that many men strong enough to do that sort of damage to themselves. He will be back and as good as he was.”