Volkswacht Bodensee - French captain Alldritt to miss Italy match: source

The 26-year-old No 8 required stitches to an open wound on the thigh which he suffered in last Saturday's edgy 20-16 victory over Scotland in Edinburgh.

Although Alldritt had initially shrugged off concerns over the injury, it is believed the healing process will rule him out for two to three weeks, making him unavailable for the visit of the Italians on February 25.

That should be enough time for him to return for the final two matches of the tournament, against Wales on March 10 and historic rivals England on March 16.

Alldritt -- who head coach Fabien Galthie named captain in the absence of Antoine Dupont as he seeks Olympic gold in Paris this year with the sevens team -- has a ready-made replacement as skipper in Charles Ollivon.

The Toulon backrow forward was Galthie's first captain when he took over as head coach following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

France will be bidding to make it two successive wins when they face the Italians as they try to rebuild their morale after a 38-17 hammering in the opening game at home to titleholders Ireland.

Italy arrive on the back of two defeats, the latter one a 36-0 thrashing by the Irish last Sunday.

F.Fehr--VB