Ireland's Tommy Bowe rules himself out of Six Nations

Tommy Bowe said there is no chance he will play any part in Ireland's quest for a third successive Six Nations title but he still hopes to feature for Ulster this season.

The wing was expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on the knee he injured during Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina in October.

Bowe is optimistic of returning to action earlier than was predicted, but the 31-year-old is resigned to the fact that he will play no part in the Six Nations.

He said: "Unfortunately it's a slow process and to rule yourself out of the Six Nations is disappointing. "I have to concentrate on getting myself back to where I was and there's no point in rushing it. "To be back by the start of February is unlikely but I'm still pretty positive I can add something to Ulster's season."

Bowe's Ireland and Ulster team-mate Iain Henderson will also miss the Six Nations and is said to unlikely to feature in his country's tour of South Africa due to a hamstring injury.

Ireland start the defence of their Six Nations title against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on February 7.