The Munster lock had been enjoying another impactful performance when injury struck.
Ireland are top of the Six Nations standings and remain on course for a Grand Slam, after defeating France, but injuries to Johnny Sexton, Rob Herring and Tadhg Beirne took the sheen off.
Sexton confirmed, after Ireland's 32-19 win, that he received a dead leg when 24-stone France tighthead Uini Antonio landed on him after a tackle. He may well be rested from a starting role against Italy but that game is a fortnight away so he could still feature.
Rob Herring is undergoing further Head Injury Assessment checks after he shipped a heavy Antonio hit that resulted in the French star being yellow-carded. Herring did return to the field of play, in the first half, but was permanently replaced at the break.
While both men are still in the mix for the Italy game, over in Rome, the prognosis is not so rosy for Tadhg Beirne. He limped off after 45 minutes and Andy Farrell confirmed the bleak news after the game.
https://twitter.com/Paddy__Paddy/status/1624441299859386368
Injury update on Tadhg Beirne
Treated by the Irish medics after a tackle to the ribs, in the first half, Tadhg Beirne battled on and had made 13 tackles and secured a turnover when injury struck.
With the clock on 45 minutes, play raged on with a France counter attack but Beirne was on the deck and looked in considerable pain. At the next break in play, he was attended to by three Irish medics and physios but was not able to continue. Limping off, under duress, he was replaced by Iain Henderson.
Asked about Beirne in the post-match press briefing, Andy Farrell confirmed that "it's not looking great for Tadhg". The versatile forward would need to be looked at 'in more detail' but could be out for a while.
Farrell stated it was 'a lower leg' injury and Beirne being spotted in the moon-boot and on crutches would suggest his participation in the rest of the tournament is in doubt.
