Tomás O’Leary’s misfortune with injury continues after it was revealed that the 29-year-old London Irish scrumhalf has been ruled out for four to six months following back surgery.

The Cork-born player who joined the Exiles during the summer, after sevens years with Munster, had made an impressive start for his new club. He had played nine matches but a pre-existing degenerative disc problem, according to a statement from London Irish, necessitated a surgical procedure which he underwent yesterday. His last game for Irish was on October 28th.

He has 24 caps for Ireland, and is a member of the Grand Slam winning team in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. But he missed the Lions tour to South Africa that year when a broken ankle forced him to withdraw from the touring group. It is unlikely that he will play again for London Irish this season.