The French Rugby Federation announced on Tuesday Cheick Tiberghien has been ruled out of this month's three tests with New Zealand to diminish Fabien Galthie's options at full-back.
Bayonne's Tiberghien was expected to start Saturday's first test with the All Blacks in Dunedin after an impressive club campaign and with Leo Barre suffering from a dead leg.
Tiberghien, 25, has been replaced by fellow uncapped full-back in Toulon's Marius Domon, who can also feature at fly-half.
Galthie's only remaining fit option for the number 15 shirt with Tom Spring also a doubt is Theo Attissogbe, who has more experience on the wing.
Former Les Bleus captain Galthie has named a second-string squad for the three tests deciding to rest key players such as No 8 Gregory Alldritt and full-back Thomas Ramos.
Regular captain Antoine Dupont as well as fly-half Romain Ntamack are injured, with experienced centre Gael Fickou skippering the side.
Galthie names his side for this weekend's test on Thursday.
The second test takes place on July 12 in Wellington and the third match in Hamilton a week later.