Munster's Irish international flanker Alan Quinlan will miss the Heineken Cup campaign because of an injured shoulder.
The injury will rule him out of at least the Pool stages, and there are doubts over his return should Munster progress to the final eight in April.
The injury will also keep him out of Celtic League action, and with Munster in unfamiliar territory at the bottom half of the division, it is news coach Alan Gaffney does not need.
Quinlan suffered a dislocation and torn ligaments when scoring Ireland's try in their World Cup win over Argentina.
The 29-year-old is targeting an April return, with the long-term aim of rejoining his country's tour of South Africa in the off-season.
Quinlan said: "It's quite a common injury. Martin Johnson, Malcolm O'Kelly, Matt Burke and Stirling Mortlock have had similar operations.
Quinlan has made over 40 Heineken Cup appearances with Munster during his time with the Irish province, including an appearance in the 2002/3 Heineken Cup final defeat (15-9) to Leicester Tigers at the Millennium Stadium.
