Clerc out until end of 2016 after operation

Clerc, 35, an off-season signing from Toulouse, sustained the injury in pre-season and had been suffering from recurrent pain.

The 67-time capped France wing has played only one game for Toulon, the 21-25 defeat by Brive in the third round of Top 14 matches.

Clerc's absence compounds Toulon's injury woes, with the likes of capitain Duane Vermeulen (knee), Matt Giteau (ankle) and flanker Juan Smith (biceps) all out of action.

Agence France-Presse