Tommy Bowe will miss the Six Nations opener in Italy

Ospreys wing Tommy Bowe is the latest Ireland player to be ruled out of the Six Nations Championship opener against Italy in Rome on 5 February.

Bowe is sidelined with a knee injury and is also a doubt for the clash with France a week later.

Shane Horgan, John Hayes, Jamie Heaslip, Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy are also out of the Italy game.

Horgan and Hayes are also expected to miss the encounter with France.

Bowe's injury was assessed by both the Ospreys and Ireland medical teams and specialist consultants.

Leinster number eight Heaslip had his ankle injury reviewed by a specialist on Wednesday and it was confirmed that he will not be available for the Italy game, but could make a return against the French.

Heaslip's injury has kept him out of Leinster's Heineken Cup fixtures since Christmas.

Horgan (knee) and Hayes (groin) were ruled out of the Italy game on Tuesday.

Leinster wing Horgan and Munster prop Hayes were both replaced at half-time in Heineken Cup matches at the weekend.

Ulster wing Trimble misses out after breaking a bone in his right hand.

Trimble picked up the injury during Ulster's Heineken Cup win over Aironi on Saturday.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris remains a doubt for the Rome encounter.

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