Ireland's Luke Fitzgerald ruled out of Six Nations

Ireland have suffered a blow with the loss of Luke Fitzgerald for the entirety of their Six Nations campaign following a knee ligament injury.

Fitzgerald twisted his knee during a training session on Friday and could spend up to two months on the sidelines as a result.

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney lamented the absence of the utility back, but confirmed no replacement has been added to the group in his stead.

"Luke Fitzgerald has been ruled out of the Six Nations with a medial ligament injury to his knee," said Kearney.

"He's expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks and at this stage no replacement has been called in.

"[He was] just doing a tackling drill at the Aviva [Stadium] on Friday at the open session and I think his foot just got caught in the grass and he twisted his knee.

"So, fairly innocuous but he's obviously very unfortunate and very unlucky to be out of the Six Nations, but I suppose it could've been worse as well.

"He was very upset and probably feared the worst. He's had a very good run injury-wise since the end of last season and a great World Cup and was flying for Leinster right through up to the open session on Friday. It's just one of those things and he's very unfortunate."