Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero is ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking a thumb in his country's 56-13 defeat by France in the RBS 6 Nations last Saturday.
The Sicilian prop forward sustained the injury in the 27th minute of the match with the French at the Stadio Flaminio which ended with Italy as wooden spoon holders with five defeats in five matches.
His injury will be a big blow to his club side LAquila for the remainder of the Super 10 series in Italy.
Lo Cicero will need surgery on the injury.
For LAquilas next match with Calvisano another Italian international will be an absentee: Gert Peens has influenza.