Mike Ross may miss Six Nations opener with hamstring tear

Irish tighthead prop Mike Ross could miss the beginning of the Six Nations Championship (February 7th), after suffering a serious hamstring tear

during Leinster’s game against Toulon in the Aviva on Saturday.

"He has got a high-grade hamstring strain and he is looking at somewhere around six weeks out. It's a fairly significant injury," said Leinster manager Guy Easterby.

“The protocols you follow in terms of those hamstrings is fairly consistent . . . It is a significant high-grade hamstring strain, so he has to rehab that correctly.”

Outhalf Johnny Sexton also injured his quadriceps muscle in a repeat injury to the one he suffered in this year's World Cup in England and Wales, although Leinster are hoping he will be available for selection to face Munster in the Pro 12 interprovincial derby on Sunday in Thomond Park.

“Johnny has got a slight quad strain, similar to the one he had during the World Cup,” added Easterby.

Hopefully available

“But we’d be hopeful that he will be available for selection for this week. He won’t be training until later in the week, but we’d be hopeful he will be available for selection.”

Loosehead prop Cian Healy will find out about his appeal on Wednesday. Leinster made their appeal against a two-week suspension on the grounds that Healy was charged with an offence that he was not cited for, which allowed him to play against Toulon on Saturday evening.

Leinster are hoping that the appeal can be set up and conducted via Skype, which would save the frontrow a trip to Paris.

“The appeal hearing is on Wednesday, so that’s where it’s at,” said Easterby. “I obviously can’t speak too much about it because I don’t want to compromise anything that’s going to go on in that.”

There was good news for flanker Seán O’Brien, who appears to be recovering from his middle ear issue. Easterby was cautiously positive about the Tullow international passing a fitness test this week.

“Seán is good to go, as long as he gets through this week okay,” said Easterby.

"We're all nervous about saying guys are good to go, because every press conference we have there seems to be someone pulling out of it. Rob Kearney was the last one."