Former France international Pepito Elhorga has been ruled out of action for at least six months after spraining his knee during Bayonne's season opening win over Toulouse, his club announced on Monday.

"He has a severe sprain in his left knee with a cruciate ligament rupture which was confirmed by an IRM scan on Monday," said the Bayonne club doctor Jacques Manic.

"We are looking at an operation soon and expect him to be out of action for at least six months."

The 32-year-old Elhorga, who won 17 caps for France and played at the 2003 World Cup, suffered the injury during the first quarter of last Friday's 18-13 win but played on until half-time when he was replaced.

Bayonne, however, said they would not be looking for a short-term replacement for Elhorga.

"We aren't looking for a medical replacement, we already have everything we need in place," said Director of Rugby Christian Gajan.

* Meanwhile Toulouse wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca is unlikely to play in the Top 14 until October because of a thigh injury, the club's general manager Guy Noves said on Monday.

The Fijian flier - who has suffered from weight, drug and disciplinary problems in the past - was a doubtful starter ahead of Toulouse's Top 14 opener against Bayonne last Friday which ended in an 18-13 defeat.

He came on as a second half replacement, but lasted only 13 minutes before limping off the field.

Noves said that Caucaunibuca had undergone hospital tests on Monday and would be out of action for four to five weeks.

Toulouse will also be without prop Daan Human for this weekend's game against Lyon as the South African has had an operation on his left arm.

Back row forward Jean Bouilhou will also be absent, having failed to recover from a shoulder injury. The champions are also missing 12 players at the World Cup.

AFP