France suffer early setback ahead of All Blacks tour

The Bordeaux-Begles No.8 Tauleigne's latest injury has ruled him out for up to a month according to the club's defence coach Joe Worsley.

"Tauleigne is still with specialists in Bordeaux and Paris, they'll establish a plan for him, there's nothing concrete, nothing decided," Worsley said.

"But he won't play for a few weeks, more maybe."

Knocked out playing against La Rochelle, it was the six-time capped back row's fourth this season –  having also suffered the same fate against Castres on September 2, Oyonnax on September 30 and New Zealand with the French B team on November 14.

Tauleigne had a three-week break after that third knock-out and in theory should now be rested for three months, which would not only bring an end to his season but also rule out his participation in France's three-Test tour to New Zealand in June.

Agence France-Presse