Injured in the knee during the first match against Ireland, Moefana, initially retained in the extended squad, has finally had to pull out. He is replaced on a like-for-like basis by Racing 92 fly-half Ugo Seunes, called up to Marcoussis to take part in the preparations for the Italy fixture.

That absence, combined with that of centre Nicolas Depoortere, also out with a calf injury, could lead the staff to stick with the Pau pairing of Fabien Brau-Boirie and Émilien Gailleton in the French midfield, unless recovering players such as Pierre-Louis Barassi or Kalvin Gourgues come back into the reckoning.

Tighthead prop Tevita Tatafu also leaves the list of 42 players called up, despite being on the team sheet for Bayonne in the Top 14 this weekend. To cover that withdrawal, the staff led by Fabien Galthié have recalled experienced prop Rabah Slimani, of Leinster, to bolster the French front row.

France began their preparations at Marcoussis on Monday 16 February after their comfortable win in Wales (54-12), which keeps them in the hunt for the title and the Grand Slam. They face Italy on Sunday in Lille (4.10pm), aiming to keep their perfect record going against an Italy side perhaps more dangerous than ever.