After a dream start to this season’s Six Nations with victory in Wales, Ireland have suffered a succession of injury setbacks with Henry joining Gordon D’Arcy, Simon Zebo and Jonny Sexton on the casualty list.

To add to this Tommy Bowe and Paul O’Connell were both ruled out ahead of the competition beginning, while Cian Healy is set to miss the game with Scotland and the visit of France through suspension.

Declan Kidney has responded to the injury set backs by calling up Munster back row Tommy O’Donnell and Leinster fly-half Ian Madigan.

An IRFU statement said: "Following an MRI scan, it was confirmed that back-row Chris Henry suffered a cartilage tear to his right knee while playing last Friday.

"The injury will require surgery and will rule Henry out of playing for approximately four weeks.

"Munster back-row Tommy O'Donnell has been called into the squad as cover for this week after making an appearance for the Ireland Wolfhounds at the end of January.

"Connacht centre Dave McSharry is also unavailable this week as he is still suffering from a niggling groin injury and so Ian Madigan has been called into the Irish camp."