The 25-year-old was one of the standout players in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations and to make matters worse for coach Marc Lievremont, his other world class looshead, Fabien Barcella, is also currently sidelined with an Achilles injury that required surgery.

Domingo picked up the injury in the 60th minute of Saturday’s 41-13 win, and a statement later released by Clermont confirmed: “His season with ASM Clermont Auvergne is now over and his chances of competing in the World Cup are severely compromised.”

The loosehead would have been a definite starter in France’s World Cup pool where they will face New Zealand, Tonga, Canada and Japan.

After asserting a regular place in the French side since his debut against Wales in 2009, Domingo was an instrumental part of Les Bleus’ 2010 Grand Slam.

Should Barcella not recover, grizzled Biarritz veteran Sylvain Marconnet would be favourite to step into the No.1 shirt for the World Cup with Perpignan's Jerome Schuster providing an alternative.

Domingo's loss continues France's miserable injury record with props after Marconnet missed the 2007 World Cup with a broken leg, and Pieter De Villiers was forced to sit out 2003 after injuring his shoulder.