Rob Kearney set for spell on the sidelines

Rob Kearney's arm injury looks set to rule him out of the rest of Ireland's 6 Nations campaign, the Leinster full-back requiring surgery on a damaged bicep.

Kearney was forced off in the second half in Rome following Ireland's 63-10 victory over Italy.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was confident that the 30-year-old would not be ruled out of action for long.

"Rob got a bruise on his bicep, just with awkward contact," "A couple of days should see him right."

According to the Irish Independent, the injury is worse than feared, and Kearney is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.