The injury will rule him out of the next two games with an expected three to six-week recovery period.

Scrum half Conor Murray was replaced in the 59th minute of the game after falling awkwardly on his right knee.

A scan has revealed bone bruising in the joint and while there has been no significant damage done to his ligaments, the injury does rule him out of contention for Ireland's remaining two matches of the Championship with an expected three to four-week recovery period.

The extended Ireland squad will return to camp this evening with Munster scrum half Tomas O'Leary and Connacht lock/flanker Mike McCarthy being added to the squad to cover the injuries to Murray and O'Connell respectively.