France's Thion out of Six Nations
PARIS, France (Reuters) -- France lock Jerome Thion will miss the Six Nations championship with an Achilles tendon injury.
"Biarritz lock Jerome Thion underwent surgery on his left Achilles tendon; his season is over as he will be sidelined for between four and six months," the French rugby federation Web site reported.
France coach Bernard Laporte was already without locks Fabien Pelous and Olivier Brouzet, who have knee and shoulder injuries respectively.
"It is a huge blow. He had a good World Cup and had become an key player in the French team," Laporte was quoted as saying in L'Equipe on Tuesday.
Brouzet will not be able to start training for another month or two and has already been ruled out of France's first game of the tournament, while Pelous is still doubtful.
Stade Francais captain David Auradou should recover from a leg injury in time and could be paired with Beziers lock Thibault Privat in the second row.
France start their Six Nations campaign at the Stade de France against Ireland on February 14.
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