France centre Florian Fritz is set to miss the entire Six Nations after fracturing the fibula in his right leg in training today.
The Toulouse star, who was due to start for Les Bleus in Sunday's clash against Scotland at Murrayfield, will be out of action for between "six and 12 weeks", according to France medical staff.
A more exact time-frame for his unavailability will be known tomorrow when the results of medical tests are released.
France selectors are meeting to discuss who should come in as a replacement for Fritz for this weekend.
The 25-year-old, who has 13 caps to his name, made his return to the France squad for the Six Nations after a strong first half of the season with Toulouse.
He struggled with injury last term and failed to make Les Bleus' World Cup squad.
David Marty and Toulouse team-mate Yannick Jauzion, who has just returned from injury, could replace Fritz in the starting line-up for the Scotland game.