ASM Clermont Auvergne skipper Aurelien Rougerie will miss the final two rounds of the Heineken Cup Pool stages after injuring his ankle in his side's 48-3 home win over Bayonne on Sunday.
Rougerie is expected to be sidelined for between five and six weeks, which could also cast doubt on his availability for France in the opening round of the 2013 RBS Six Nations. The Clermont captain limped off the field in the 72nd minute.
The injury was initially diagnosed as a severe sprain of the external ligament of the right ankle, with the good news there had been no fracture. The player will undergo further tests and treatment this week.
Clermont are one of three unbeaten teams left in the Heineken Cup and need only one more win to guarantee first place in Pool 5 after their back-to-back wins over reigning champions Leinster in the December fixtures.
They host Exeter Chiefs at Stade Marcel Michelin in Rond 5 before ending their campaign away at Parc y Scarlets
