Ireland forward Aoife Wafer is a doubt for the Rugby World Cup after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
Wafer, who was named 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is set to miss Ireland’s two warm-up games against Scotland and Canada next month.
The 22-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland’s World Cup Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton on 24 August.
Scott Bemand’s side face Spain on 31 August and holders New Zealand on 7 September in their remaining pool games.
Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.
Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.