Scans carried out in the hours that followed revealed a muscle lesion in the hamstrings of the right thigh, making any return before the beginning of February impossible at best. ASM specified that Jauneau should also be absent for the upcoming international fixtures.

The lay-off also robs the player of any chance of joining the France camp ahead of the Six Nations, whose preparation is due to begin at the end of January for a first match on 5 February against Ireland, and it reshuffles the deck in his position both at Clermont and with the national side.

A Clermont man since he turned professional, the 22-year-old scrum-half is one of ASM’s key players and his absence will be a serious challenge for coach Christophe Urios, who will have to reorganise his half-back pairing for the coming weeks.