Defending title holders Bordeaux-Begles have been dealt a blow with news that prop Jefferson Poirot will miss Sunday's Champions Cup semifinal against Bath after picking up a two-week ban for a high tackle.
Poirot, who was capped 36 times by France, was handed an orange card for a head-on-head tackle with Valentin Welsch during the 23-21 defeat by Montpellier in the Top 14 match last weekend.
The LNR, the body that runs professional rugby union in France, announced a two-week ban on Wednesday, which includes matches in the Champions Cup.
Poirot, 33 and an ever-present for the Bordeaux team this season in the Champions Cup, will also miss the Top 14 match at Bayonne on May 9.
Either Matis Perchaud or Ugo Boniface are considered the likeliest replacement for him.
Another absentee for the semifinal is Bordeaux coach Yannick Bru.
He will be unable to take his place in the dugout after being punished for "lacking respect for the authority of a match official" due to remarks he made about the fourth official following the 45-15 thrashing by La Rochelle in the game preceding the Montpellier match.