Munster and Ireland hooker Mike Sherry has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The 25-year-old from Limerick will undergo surgery once the swelling goes down on the injury sustained against Newport Gwent Dragons last weekend and is expected to be sidelined for six months.

There was better news for winger Gerhard van den Heever as the hand injury he picked up in the same game is not as bad as first feared.

The South African is expected to make a return to training over the Christmas period.