IRELAND HOOKER SEAN Cronin is set for 12 weeks out of rugby after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.

The 28-year-old’s stint on the sidelines comes at a bad time with the World Cup looming later this year, although a 12-week recovery time frame would possibly mean Cronin returning for the World Cup warm-up friendlies.

Cronin has been in strong form for Leinster this season. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Ireland’s summer series begins with a fixture against Wales in the Millennium Stadium on 8 August.

The issue for Cronin is potentially missing the four-week pre-season Schmidt’s men will undergo from July onwards, a key part of the World Cup planning in terms of strength and conditioning.

For Leinster, Cronin’s absence will be felt in the final two games of the Guinness Pro12 season as Matt O’Connor’s men look to ensure they don’t fall any further down the table than their current fifth position.

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Cronin underwent surgery this afternoon to repair the damage to a tendon in his shoulder, following medical advice to do so.

Leinster report that “the operation has gone well but Sean will miss the rest of the Leinster Rugby season which involves games against Treviso and Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO12. The expected rehabilitation period is 12 weeks.”