Rugby – Six Nations:France scrumhalf Frederic Michalak has been ruled out next Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy with a knee injury from and will be replaced by Dimitri Yachvili.
"The decision has been taken after Michalak had medical tests. Yachvili will join the squad," said Lionel Rossigneux, France media manager.
Michalak injured his left knee in a tackle and was carried off on a stretcher in the second minute of Toulouse's 29-0 win over Stade Francais yesterday.
Yachvili has won 40 caps for France, the last one in June 2009 against Australia.
After recovering from a knee injury suffered in January, he played his first game this year with Biarritz yesterday in Toulon, scoring a try, two conversions and two penalties. Biarritz lost the game 21-20.
Rossigneux said France's medical staff did not have any "serious worries" about Biarritz number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, who withdrew from the game in Toulon after jamming his back during the warm-up.
"I jammed my back during a training session this week. I thought I would be fine today (Saturday) but when the pain came back we decided to take no risk," said Harinordoquy. "We'll see how it goes but I hope I'll recover in two or three days."
France are the only unbeaten team in this year's Six Nations after wins over Scotland, Ireland and Wales. They host Italy on Sunday, March 14th and England the following Saturday.