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Louis Picamoles had to come off after just 15 minutes of France’s tight 23-21 win over Italy
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The national team released a statement on Sunday saying he has a “pulled hamstring in his right leg”
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Picamoles has 52 caps for his country
France Number. 8 Louis Picamoles is likely to miss the rest of the Six Nations after tearing his hamstring during Saturday’s 23-21 win against Italy.
Picamoles limped off shortly after Virimi Vakatawa’s opening try in the 14th minute of a topsy-turvy match settled by flyhalf Jules Plisson’s late penalty from 54 meters.
The French team said Sunday that medical checks revealed a tear on Picamoles’ right hamstring and that he needs “several weeks of rest.”
The 30-year-old Picamoles has 52 test caps and his absence is a significant blow to new coach Guy Noves, who is rebuilding the side following France’s poor World Cup campaign.
Picamoles, who will leave Toulouse to join Northampton next season, was the most experienced player in France’s starting line-up on Saturday.
He was replaced in the back row by young debutant Yacouba Camara against Italy and the 21-year-old Toulouse flanker may get his first start against Ireland.
France faces Ireland at Stade de France on Saturday.