Ireland suffered a blow to their Six Nations title hopes on Thursday as prop Andrew Porter was ruled out of their final two matches due to an ankle injury.
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Porter, 26, and fellow prop Tadhg Furlong have become mainstays of the starting XV under head coach Andy Farrell.
The 42-times capped Porter suffered the injury during Ireland's 57-6 thumping of Italy last Sunday.
"Following a scan on his injured ankle, Andrew Porter has been ruled out of the remainder of our #GuinnessSixNations campaign," the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) tweeted.
"He has returned to @LeinsterRugby and his medical treatment will be managed by the Leinster Medical Team."
?? | Following a scan on his injured ankle, Andrew Porter has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 3, 2022
He has returned to Leinster and his medical treatment will be managed by the Leinster Medical Team.
Get well soon, Ports ???? pic.twitter.com/JK5yKxEDUE
Porter will miss Ireland's tricky away match against England on March 12 and the final game at home to Scotland a week later.
Both Ireland and England have lost a game apiece but still entertain hopes of the title -- they must hope Grand Slam chasing France slip up against either the Welsh on March 11 or England in Paris on March 19.