Tommy Bowe, the top try-scorer in the 2012 Six Nations, will miss next year's championship after damaging knee ligaments playing for Ulster against Northampton last weekend, but he expects to be fit for the Lions tour of Australia in the summer.

The Ireland wing had surgery on Thursday after being injured in the closing minutes of Ulster's Heineken Cup defeat, over-extending his right knee and suffering lateral ligament damage as he was ankle-tapped by his opposite number Jamie Elliott going for what would have been the winning try.

He is expected to be out for four months, aiming to return for the latter stages of the Heineken Cup should Ulster, who lead their group despite the defeat to the Saints, make the last four of the tournament.

Ulster said in a statement that the surgery had been successful. Should Bowe make his comeback on schedule, he would have five weeks to prove his fitness for the Lions tour, but his return would coincide with the naming of the squad.

A fit Bowe would have been a near certainty for selection, but wing is not an area where the Lions lack depth, with the likes of George North, Alex Cuthbert, Chris Ashton, Tim Visser and Ireland's new boy Craig Gilroy all strong contenders and full-backs Ben Foden, Leigh Halfpenny and Mike Brown having utility value out wide.

Bowe played in all three Tests for the Lions in South Africa in 2009 and with 26 tries in 51 Tests for Ireland, he is an international wing of proven pedigree. His absence will give Gilroy a regular starting role with Ulster and, probably, Ireland, for whom he scored a try on his debut against Argentina last month.

Bowe was first capped in 2004. Eddie O'Sullivan was the Ireland coach then, but he has been snubbed by Connacht, who are looking for a head coach next season to succeed Eric Elwood. O'Sullivan did not make the shortlist and the favourite for the job is the former England outside-half, Alex King, who is a member of Clermont Auvergne's management team.The Northampton prop Brian Mujati has confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after four years at Franklin's Gardens. The 29-year old South Africa international is expected to join Racing Metro, who are also after his clubmate and fellow prop Soane Tonga'uiha.