Prolific Ireland back won't face Scotland in major blow for Six Nations hopes

Winger Lowe picked up a groin injury during last weekend’s win over England. The 33-year-old limped off to be replaced by Leinster team-mate Tommy O’Brien in the 18th minute of the 42-21 success at Twickenham.

Capped 45 times by Ireland, Lowe has scored 17 tries for his country and is also a British and Irish Lion and has emerged as one of Ireland most prolific points scorers under head coach Andy Farrell.

While a timescale for his absence was not specified by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Lowe could also miss some important United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup games for his club Leinster. He is expected to see a specialist in the coming days to assess the next steps in his recovery.

A statement from the IRFU read: “Unfortunately James Lowe has been ruled out of the remainder of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations with the groin injury he suffered in last week’s win over England at Allianz Stadium.”

It is a blow for the Irish given they remain in the mix for the Six Nations title and the Triple Crown. They sit third in the championship table – behind leaders France and second-placed Scotland – after bouncing back from an opening defeat in Paris by beating Italy and then registering a record victory away to England.

Ireland host Wales in round four of the championship on Friday, March 6 before Scotland visit Dublin eight days later on the final weekend.