France back Dulin out of Six Nations squad with injury

France fullback Brice Dulin will be out of action for several weeks because of a hamstring injury and is set to miss most of the Six Nations championship, the French federation (FFR) said today.

Fullback Maxime Medard has been called up as a replacement in the 33-man preliminary squad which will gather on Saturday to prepare for the competition, the FFR said in a statement.

Winger Vincent Clerc also picked up a minor injury today while playing with his club side Toulouse and is doubtful.

The 22-year-old Dulin, who started France's last five games, picked up the injury during a French league game with his French club Castres on Thursday.

"With league games so close to the start of our competition, we have to expect this kind of news," France manager Philippe Saint-Andre was quoted as saying in the statement.

Medard, 26, returned last November after a knee injury he suffered during France's win over Scotland last year in the Six Nations ruled him out for eight months.

The Toulouse fullback, who was the first choice in the position during the 2011 World Cup, has 31 caps.

France's squad for their opening game in Italy on Feb. 3 will be named on Monday.