British & Irish Lion Tommy Bowe will be out of action for at least six months after returning from Ireland’s World Cup campaign with a knee injury.
Bowe – who starred on both the 2013 and 2009 Lions tours – damaged his cruciate ligaments and meniscus during Ireland’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina earlier this month.
The right winger underwent surgery on Monday and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines that will rule him out of the 2016 Six Nations.
Injuries have been a recurring struggle for Bowe of late – the winger missed the first Test for the Lions against Australia after hand surgery and a groin injury on Ireland duty against New Zealand in 2013 saw him miss all of the following year's Six Nations.
It comes as bad news for his club Ulster who will also be without Ireland stars Iain Henderson and Jared Payne after they too were both injured during the World Cup.
A statement from Ulster Rugby said: “Tommy (Bowe) sustained posterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries to his right knee during the Rugby World Cup quarter final against Argentina. He had successful surgery to repair the damage yesterday and he will be ruled out for at least six months.”
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