Brown suffered a similar injury to his right arm last year (Getty Images)

The 28-year-old underwent corrective surgery after it was revealed he had broken the radius bone in his left arm.

"I had the same injury a year and a half ago," said Brown. "I know what to expect and what sort of rehabilitation I will have to undergo."

"I think I will only miss five matches so that is not too bad."

He added: "The Heineken Cup quarter-finals are after this eight-week period, hopefully we can beat Ulster on Sunday and claim a quarter-final place. That would be fantastic."