There had been hopes in recent weeks that we could see Andrew Trimble back in an Ulster or Irish shirt in time for the close of the Six Nations.
But all that hope has been dashed this evening, with the news that the winger has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a further toe injury.
Trimble has been out of action since picking up the injury in October, and when the Irish squad was announced for the Six Nations, he was listed as one of a number of injured players Schmidt would be monitoring in recovery.
But a recent reoccurrence of the same injury has forced him to undergo surgery in London today, and Ulster Rugby have confirmed that his season is over.
The province say Trimble is targeting a return to action in pre-season, and a spot on the Irish World Cup squad, but it's sure to be a crippling vlow to one of the stars of Ireland's 2014 Six Nations championship.
