Silver lining.

Ireland scrumhalf Luke McGrath will likely play no further part in this year’s Six Nations. The talented nine picked up a knee injury in Leinster’s win over Scarlets on Saturday, but the damage isn’t as bad as initially feared.

Ulster’s John Cooney has been drafted in to replace him in the Irish Camp. But the good news is Leinster do expect McGrath to be fit in time for their crucial Champions Cup quarter final with Saracens.

McGrath had a scan on Sunday and news of no significant damage will come as a great relief to Leinster, who have already lost the services of Robbie Henshaw and Josh van der Flier during this year’s Six Nations.

It also means Leo Cullen will be able to pick the in-form James Lowe for the Saracens clash, should McGrath be fit in time. If he wasn’t, Leinster would have to have Jamison Gibson-Park in their squad, with Lowe dropping out due to quota rules on players from Australia or New Zealand