Gabin Villière will be unavailable for France’s final three games of the Guinness Six Nations after picking up a hand injury playing for Toulon in the Top 14.
The 25-year-old was on the scoresheet for Toulon as his side overcame Racing 92 25-21 on Saturday evening, crossing the whitewash after 14 minutes for the hosts.
Villière completed the 80 minutes but Toulon have since confirmed he sustained an injury to his hand in the contest and will undergo surgery later today (Sunday, March 7).
A statement from the club said: “Gabin Villière should undergo surgery in the coming hours.
“The French international will be unavailable for the next six weeks. The entire Rugby Club Toulonnais team wishes Gabin a speedy recovery and a quick return to the pitch.”
Villière started both of France’s opening two Championship wins against Italy and Ireland as Les Bleus made a perfect start to the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
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But he will now miss the visit to England in Round 4 and the home game against Championship leaders Wales on March 20. France’s Round 3 match with Scotland was postponed, with a date for the rearranged game yet to be confirmed.
Villière was not the only France star to score in the contest between Toulon and Racing 92, with Virimi Vakatawa and Bernard Le Roux both scoring for the visitors.
Les Bleus have announced a 31-man squad to prepare for their clash with defending champions England, with Vakatawa and Romain Ntamack both named after returning from injury.
