Ireland lose flyhalf Jackson for Six Nations

Ireland flyhalf Paddy Jackson has given his country an injury headache for the Six Nations after he was ruled out for the entire championship.

Jackson dislocated his elbow playing for Ulster against Toulon on Saturday and his club say that he needs surgery which will rule him out for up to 12 weeks.

Current Six Nations champions will be without Jonathan Sexton who was stood down for 12 weeks after having four concussions in a year.

Sexton has been ruled out of Ireland’s Test against Italy on Feb. 7, and the home game against France on Feb. 14.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt now only has Leinster’s Ian Madigan and Munster’s Ian Keatley available as flyhalf for the first two tests.

Ulster centre Stuart Olding has also been ruled out for up to 12 weeks with elbow ligament damage after he was injured in the same match as Jackson.

Meanwhile Robbie Henshaw will be rested this weekend after he sprained his ankle playing for Connacht against Exeter on Sunday and is in a race to be fit for the opening Six Nations weekend.