Michalak set for year's injury absence

Michalak faces a long spell on the sidelines while he recovers from injury

France utility back Frederic Michalak will have surgery on Wednesday after suffering a knee injury last weekend which could keep him out for a year.

The Toulouse player was stretchered off with torn cruciate ligaments in his side's French Championship win over Stade Francais on Saturday.

"His season is over and he will need a year to come back to his best level," said team manager Guy Noves

"Frederic will undergo surgery on Wednesday in Toulouse."

Michalak, who kicked a penalty after coming on as replacement fly-half in France's 26-20 win over Wales last month, will be replaced by Dimitri Yachvili for Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy.