Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco is to undergo an operation on his fractured cheekbone on Wednesday.
The Stade Francais forward sustained the injury during Saturdays RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales at the Flaminio Stadium in Rome, which the Azzurri lost 38-8.
The knock has ruled Bergamasco out of the match against Scotland on February 26, with Italy coach John Kirwan drafting in Benetton Treviso forward Silvio Orlando as his replacement.
It remains to be seen how long Bergamasco will be sidelined for but it is doubtful he will be able to return in time for Italys final two RBS 6 Nations matches against England and France.
Italy team doctor Gianluca Melegati said: It's too early to say how much time he will need to recover. We will only be able to make those predictions after the operation.