Rob Kearney admits he's gutted for Sean O'Brien and admits Ireland could "do without" losing the Tullow Tank and Dan Leavy for the World Cup.
O'Brien requires hip surgery and is out for six months while Leavy is a long-term absentee.
Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will name a provisional training squad for the World Cup later today but it's a blow to lose two "world-class 7s", as Kearney put it.
“Yeah, it’s gutting to watch," said Kearney of O'Brien.
"He’s probably been on one leg for the last six months, hasn’t he?
"It’s hugely disappointing for him. You would have loved to have given him a proper send-off, had he been playing on the field and lifting the (PRO14) trophy in his gear as opposed to in his suit.
"But very few guys get the fairytale ending. There’s nothing written in the script to say, ‘This is how it’s going to end for you’.
"So hopefully he gets it sorted and he’s able to give it a good crack over at London Irish.
"Luckily the back row has always been very competitive for Ireland and any time a team is picked there’s always quality players missing out who may not even be in the 23.
"We do have a fair bit of depth in the back row but to be missing two guys of their calibre, you could do without it".
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