A scan on Rob Henderson's torn tendon has revealed the Munster and Ireland centre is likely to be out of action for as long as four months.
It had been thought the injury to his arm would only sideline Henderson for four to six weeks but a further scan has revealed the damage was worse than initially feared.
The news means Henderson will miss all Munster's remaining Heineken Cup pool matches and will face a battle to be fit in time for Ireland's Six Nations campaign in the spring.