Ireland coach Declan Kidney has suffered another injury blow – Munster flanker Denis Leamy is out of the Six Nations championship.

The 30-year-old back row is to undergo surgery on a troublesome hip injury and won’t play again for club or country this season.

Leamy joins Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll on the long term injury list ahead of this weekend’s announcement of the Irish squad for the championship.

“Denis will be out probably for four months. He will have an operation, and is getting it finalised,” said Munster coach Tony McGahan.

Tipperary born Leamy came off the bench against Wales in the World Cup quarter-final to win his 57th cap but has started just four games for Munster since then.

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