Ireland Centre Gordon D'Arcy has been ruled out of the remainder of the RBS 6 Nations Championship with a foot injury.
D'Arcy was experiencing some discomfort in his right foot following the game against England.
This failed to settle before the Ireland training session on Thursday and following a scan yesterday afternoon it was confirmed that D'Arcy has a stress injury to a bone in his foot.
The injury will require immobilisation in a boot for at least four weeks with a projected return to play of six weeks pending further tests and specialist review.
The Ireland training squad for the Scotland test match week will be announced on Sunday evening following the completion of games in the RaboDirect Pro12.
“This failed to settle down before the Ireland training session on Thursday, and following a scan yesterday afternoon it was confirmed that D’Arcy has a stress injury to a bone in his foot,” the IRFU said in a statement.
“The injury will require immobilisation in a boot for at least four weeks, with a projected return to play of six weeks, pending further tests and specialist review.
“The Ireland training squad for the Scotland Test match week will be announced on Sunday evening following the completion of games in the RaboDirect Pro12.”
D’Arcy’s injury means that Ireland coach Declan Kidney will need to make at least five changes for the trip to Edinburgh.
On top of the injuries to D’Arcy, Zebo, Sexton and McCarthy, prop Cian Healy is suspended after he was cited for stamping on England prop Dan Cole at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland currently lie fourth in the Six Nations table with one win from two games.
After the Scotland fixture, they host France on March 9 and then tackle Italy in Rome seven days later.