France scrum-half Maxime Lucu has emerged as a major doubt for the start of their Six Nations title defence, with the Bordeaux-Begles man out for up to six weeks. 

Lucu, 32, was primed for a major role in Fabien Galthie’s side this Championship, but is now likely to miss the early rounds with a knee injury.

The Bordeaux ace has been a mainstay in the French side since his debut in 2021, boasting 33 caps to his name.

France rocked by Maxime Lucu injury blow

Speaking ahead of his side’s Investec Champions Cup meeting with Northampton Saints, a repeat of last season’s showpiece final in Cardiff, UBB head coach Yannick Bru detailed that he could be ruled out for up to six weeks.

“If Maxime Lucu works well, it will be four weeks,” he said via AFP. “Otherwise, it will be six.”

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That six-week timeframe would leave Lucu a major doubt for the opening two rounds of the Championship, with Les Bleus set to take on Ireland in the opening game of the Championship on Thursday, February 5, before then facing Wales at the Principality Stadium in round two, with the Test scheduled for Sunday, February 15.

With him now likely to miss those Tests, it presents a clear opportunity to bring star man and captain Antoine Dupont back into the starting side. The Olympic gold medalist has not donned the blue jersey since rupturing his ACL against Ireland during last year’s Championship, but he is now back on the field after returning with Toulouse.

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Another option is La Rochelle man Nolann le Garrecc. The 23-year-old started in France’s defeat to the Springboks, and previously played a key role in the 2025 Six Nations triumph with three appearances off the bench.

Toulon man Baptiste Serin could also be called into the squad. He was drafted into the Six Nations training group last year, but has not played a Test match for Les Bleus since their tour of Argentina in 2024.

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