The winger hobbled from the field just before half-time at Kingsholm and while the initial prognosis was a twisted knee, it was confirmed yesterday that Horgan had suffered damage to his cruciate ligament and will be out of action for four to five weeks.

The players is set to undergo an operation tomorrow to repair the damage, meaning he will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on 4 February and the game against France at Croke Park seven days later.