Saracens hooker Matt Cairns is set to be sidelined until the end of March after fracturing his arm in his side's victory over Viadana.
England hooker sidelined after surgery on fractured arm
Saracens hooker Matt Cairns is set to be sidelined until the end of March after fracturing his arm in his side's victory over Viadana.
Cairns, 28, suffered the injured just three minutes into the 34-26 Heineken Cup victory - and has now undergone surgery in a bid to repair the damage.
And Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney admitted he will have to assess his hooking option - especially as Fabio Ongaro is likely to be involved in the Six Nations with Italy.
He said: "It's a blow for him and the squad.
"It's very disappointing news to lose a player like him but it's something we're going to have to deal with.
"Clearly, it will make things difficult down the track in terms of numbers if, as expected, Fabio Ongaro makes the Italian Six Nations squad.
"During that period we're expecting to be without the two of them so that may be something we'll have to look at.
"He needed surgery and they inserted a metal plate and screws to help the healing process and as a result, when he comes back the bone will be a lot stronger because of that."
