Dropping like flies.

Ireland look set to be without lock Iain Henderson for their Six Nations opener against England next month, adding to Joe Schmidt’s injury woe in the second-row department.

Munster lock Tadhg Beirne has already been ruled out of the first two rounds against England and Scotland, with Connacht’s Quinn Roux earning a call-up.

Henderson, who made his comeback on Saturday with a man-of-the-match performance, will be out for “several weeks” according to Ulster after picking up a finger injury. This fresh injury is unrelated to his recently injured thumb.

The prognosis sounds bleak and could mean Henderson misses the entire tournament.