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Bowe to miss Irish Six Nations campaign with knee injury

Ireland's Tommy Bowe receives medical attention during the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina
Ireland's Tommy Bowe receives medical attention during the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina Ireland's Tommy Bowe receives medical attention during the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina

IRELAND and Ulster wing Tommy Bowe will miss this season's RBS Six Nations Championship due to a knee injury he suffered during the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina 10 days ago.

Ulster Rugby revealed on Monday that Bowe’s recovery will take longer than previously thought, meaning he is almost certain to miss the province’s upcoming European Champions Cup campaign.

"Tommy sustained posterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries to his right knee during the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina," a statement from Ulster Rugby said.

"He had successful surgery to repair the damage yesterday and he will be ruled out for at least six months."

The luckless 31-year-old has suffered a string of injuries since returning to Ulster in 2012 after four years with Ospreys. Bowe missed the entirety of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign in 2013 after damaging knee ligaments against Northampton and played no part in their title-winning run a year later with a groin injury.

He has won 67 caps and scored 30 Test tries with Ireland, but there are doubts over his international future after this latest setback.

Ulster have also provided updates on two more of their injured Ireland internationals - lock Iain Henderson (hand) and centre Jared Payne (foot) - who were both hurt during the World Cup.

"Iain will undergo surgery later today to stabilise a joint in his hand, which was also injured in the Argentina fixture. He will be of action for approximately six weeks," they confirmed.

"Jared's fractured foot was stabilised through successful surgery. Ulster Rugby is awaiting his first post-operative review, after which a prognosis will be known."

Henderson’s surgery means he will likely miss the first four rounds of Ulster’s Champions Cup campaign. The province has been drawn against English champions Saracens and French teams Toulouse and Oyonnax in Pool One and get their tournament underway against Oyonnax on November 14.

Neil Doak’s injury-battered Ulster side play their first inter-pro of the season against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday when, on a more positive note, Ireland’s Paddy Jackson and Darren Cave will to the fold.

Ulster have also been buoyed by the recent appointment of Les Kiss as director of rugby, who departed from the Ireland set-up after losing to the Pumas in the World Cup quarter-final.

Currently sitting in fifth in the Pro12 table, Ulster have won five from five at the Kingspan Stadium this season, but will be looking to improve on their away form after losing on the road to Scarlets and Edinburgh.