France have suffered a blow ahead of this Saturday's Six Nations clash against Italy after Wesley Fofana was ruled out with a rib injury.

The influential back took a blow to the ribs during Clermont's defeat to Montpellier in the Top 14 on Saturday, and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Fofana has been replaced in France's squad by Teddy Thomas, who has only just made his return from injury.

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