The 31-year-old, who has 101 caps with Les Bleus, damaged ligaments during his sides 22-6 loss to leaders Bourgoin in the Top 16 on Saturday and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.

That means he will miss Toulouses European Cup semi-final clash against Leicester on April 24. He is not expected to return to full fitness before his side end their 2004-2005 season on May 28 against Auch.

Pelous, who was due to be rested for Frances summer tour of South Africa and Australia in June, underwent further medical tests on Monday which revealed the full extent of the problem.

Although he will not need surgery, club doctor Christophe Foucaud is pessimistic about the Frenchmans injury.

I saw the images of the accident and its not good at all as that knee has already suffered an injury in the past, he said.

He is in great pain and there is no muscle tension in his knee any more. This is worrying.