Top 14 side Lyon will be without the services of full-back Delon Armitage for the rest of the season following an injury suffered in the team’s 16-16 draw against Toulouse.
The former England international was stretchered off the pitch during the season opener and Lyon have confirmed a scan has shown the 34-year-old has damaged the anterior cruciate injury in his left knee.
At the start of his second season at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland having joined from Toulon in 2016, Armitage will undergo surgery on Friday sidelining him for ten months.
Last season’s semi-finalists in the Top14 travel to the reigning champions Castres on Saturday.
Armitage made his mark in the Premiership when coming through the academy ranks at London Irish, making 165 appearances for the Exiles before crossing the Channel to join Toulon in 2012. The back won 26 caps for England and played much of his international rugby under Martin Johnson.