France hooker Mauvaka to miss at least start of Six Nations

Hooker Peato Mauvaka will miss at least the start of France's defence of their Six Nations Grand Slam title with a broken finger, his club Toulouse announced on Wednesday.

Mauvaka is to go under the knife on Friday, France coach Fabien Galthie initially saying the 19-times capped front-row forward would likely be out for three weeks.

Toulouse coach Ugo Mola added, however, that "unfortunately, it will be a little bit longer".

Mauvaka sustained the fracture early in Toulouse's 30-7 defeat by La Rochelle in the Top 14 last weekend, but continued to play on with the injury.

The New Caledonia-born player appeared in all of France's Six Nations campaign last season, coming on in all five games to replace Toulouse teammate and starting hooker Julien Marchand.