David Skrela has emerged as a big doubt for France's crunch World Cup clash with Ireland on September 21st after being ruled out for at least a fortnight with an Achilles tendon injury.
The Stade Francais outhalf was helped off the pitch during the second half of yesterday's 17-12 defeat to Argentina.
An MRI scan has revealed Skrela sustained a small tear to his left Achilles, putting in doubt his availability for Les Bleus' match against Ireland at the Stade de France.
A statement from the French camp said: "The new injury will require a fortnight of strict rest, with medical care. A new assessment will be made in two weeks."
France's opening night defeat to the Pumas means they will probably have to beat Eddie O'Sullivan's men in Paris if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament they are hosting.
Frederic Michalak should be Skrela's replacement for the host nation's second Pool D game, against Namibia next Sunday. Lionel Beauxis is the other outhalf in France's 30-man squad.
Winger Aurelien Rougerie picked up a thigh injury during the Argentina match, but an MRI scan revealed no tear.
The Clermont-Auvergne star will receive treatment over the next two days and take further tests on Tuesday, the France statement said.
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