Second-row Thibaud Flament said on Thursday he will miss France's Nations Championship campaign in November with a shoulder injury, leaving coach Fabien Galthie without his first-choice lock partnership.
Flament's Toulouse and France teammate Emmanuel Meafou has also been ruled out for the four games next month, including a mouth-watering tie against South Africa on November 13.
Flament will be sidelined until next year, when all eyes will be on the 2027 Rugby World Cup which starts in October.
"A real setback at the start of the season with a shoulder injury that requires surgery," Flament posted on Instagram.
"I'll be sidelined for several months. We'll see each other again in 2027 for a great year together."
France face Fiji, Argentina and the Springboks in the Nations Championship before a possible final.
Galthie's second-row options without Flament and Meafou include Lyon's Mickael Guillard and Australia-born Tom Staniforth, as well as the 36-year-old Romain Taofifenua.