Stade Francais Paris have received a huge blow ahead of their Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Exeter Chiefs with the news that French prop David Attoub has broken his hand.
Attoub is set for surgery after injuring his hand in last weekend's 53-27 home win over Agen. He is set to be sidelined for three weeks and will not only miss the European quarter-final, but also this weekend's Top 14 clash with leaders Toulouse at Stade de France.
The 30-year-old won his first cap against Romania back in 2006 and made his second appearance for France in the final round of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations against Wales in Cardiff. He only figured in one of Stade's six Amlin Challenge Cup Pool games, but was in the side that played in last season's final against Harlequins.
Stade finished as the top seeded team at the end of the Amlin Challenge Cup Pool stages and are aiming for back-to-back finals having been pipped by Harlequins last year. Exeter Chiefs have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in what is only their second season in Europe.
The Chiefs expect to take more than 1,000 fans with them to Stade Charlety foir the game on Thursday, 5 April (kick-off 20.45 local time).