Ulster have confirmed Dan Tuohy will be out of action for 12 weeks after the lock factured his arm in the win over Cardiff on Friday night.

Tuphy scored his third try in as many games in the 26-9 win at the Arms Park but left the field holding his right arm in the 61st minute.

“A scan today revealed that his arm is fractured and that he will require surgery,” Ulster Rugby said today. “It is expected that he will be out of rugby for up to 12 weeks.”

The news means Tuohy will not be available for Ireland's autumn internationals against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.

A 12-week absence would also mean he would miss 12 Ulster games between now and the end of the year, including four Champions Cup fixtures.

Speaking after the game last night Ulster defence coach Johnny Bell said: "Dan has been immense for us so far this season and has become our top try scorer. The injury is in the same arm in which he had a plate inserted following a previous injury and it doesn't look good.

“We don’t want to pre-empt what might happen, but it looks as tho ugh he has broken it again. The good thing for us is that we have strength in depth in almost every position this season.”