Rugby

Rory Best expected back before Six Nations

Ireland hooker underwent successful surgery on broken arm in Belfast this morning

Ireland’s Rory Best scores his side’s second try despite the efforts of Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock of New Zealand. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Tue Nov 26 2013 - 12:56

Rory Best is expected to be fit for the start of the Six Nations, according to Ulster Rugby.

The Ireland hooker sustained a broken arm soon after scoring the second try against the All Blacks in the 24-22 defeat at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

The Ulster man “underwent successful surgery” in Belfast this morning and his province reported this afternoon that the “he is expected to return to rugby in mid to late January”.

Such a timeline might also see him fit to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in Ulster's final Heineken Cup pool game on the weekend starting January 17th.

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Ireland's Six Nations campaign kicks off against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on February 2nd.

It has also been confirmed that flanker Iain Henderson will be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up against Edinburgh on Friday.

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