France have been handed a blow with the news Louis Picamoles has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with a hamstring injury.
The powerful number eight was forced off in the early stages of his side’s narrow 23-21 win over Italy at the Stade de France.
And now the Toulouse backrow will play no further part in the tournament after scans revealed he is facing a number of weeks out.
Picamoles absence will be a boost for Joe Schmidt and Ireland as they prepare to travel to Paris on Saturday, just six days after their brusing 16-16 draw with Wales.
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Picamoles has been replaced in Guy Noves’s squad by Bordeaux-Begles number eight Loann Goujon.
