Ireland have suffered a double blow ahead of the Six Nations Championships that starts in early February after wings Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien were ruled out due to long-term injuries.

Hansen has a dislocated shoulder and his natural replacement O’Brien has a neck problem.

That leaves a big hole for coach Andy Farrell to fill in a backline that will already be without retired flyhalf Johnny Sexton and wing Keith Earls.

It means that Hugo Keenan and James Lowe are the only two fullback/wings remaining from Ireland’s squad at the World Cup in France.

Names in the hat to come into the squad are Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale, Leinster utility back Jordan Larmour and the less experienced Calvin Nash of Munster and Rob Baloucoune of Ulster.

The backline is not the only injury concern, prop Dave Kilcoyne was also ruled out of the tournament last week following shoulder surgery.

Ireland’s first Six Nations match is against France in Marseille on February 2.