
The Tipperary-born back rower will undergo surgery on his shoulder next week and will miss the start of Munster's Heineken Cup campaign as well as Ireland's games against Canada, New Zealand and Argentina in November.
New Munster coach Tony McGahan confirmed that the province are in the market for a new back row player but they will not be rushed into signing anyone.
"We're not signing anyone for the sake of signing anyone - they need to fit the criteria that we, the recruitment staff, are looking for," he said.