France have been dealt a serious blow with the news that wing Vincent Rattez will miss the rest of this season's Six Nations with a fractured fibula.
The La Rochelle man was injured 4-minutes from the end of Sunday's 35-22 victory over Italy at the Stade de France.
Speaking after the game, France head coach Fabien Galthié felt Rattez had only suffered a sprained ankle.
But subsequent tests have revealed a fractured fibula which will see Rattez miss most - if not all - of the remainder of the season.
Rattez - who scored a try in their opening weekend win over England - was only a late addition to the team that beat the Azzurri, with a calf injury to Damien Penaud seeing him miss out.
The fracture could also mean Rattez has played his final game under Ronan O'Gara at La Rochelle, with an agreement in place to join Montpellier from the start of next season.
O'Gara's side are third in the Top 14, just ahead of Racing 92.
France sit top of the 2020 Six Nations table after their opening two games, ahead of Ireland on points difference alone.
Galthié's charges are away to Wales in their next game on February 22, before going to Scotland a fortnight later.
Les Bleus are due to welcome Ireland to Saint-Denis on March 14, in what is already shaping up to be a championship decider.
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