Ireland and Leinster hooker Sean Cronin is expected to be sidelined for three months because of a shoulder injury.
Leinster announced that 43 times-capped Cronin has undergone an operation to repair tendon damage in his left shoulder.
In a statement published on Wednesday, Leinster said: "After medical advice, Sean Cronin has this afternoon undergone surgery to repair damage to a tendon in his shoulder.
"The operation has gone well, but Sean will miss the rest of the Leinster Rugby season, which involves games against Treviso and Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO12.
"The expected rehabilitation period is 12 weeks."
Cronin, 28, featured off the bench in all of Ireland's games during their recent RBS 6 Nations title-winning campaign, providing cover for Ulster's Rory Best.
Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up fixture is a Millennium Stadium appointment with Wales on August 8.
Source: PA
