French international fly-half Camille Lopez has been ruled out for up to five months due to a broken ankle.

This means he will sit out the November Internationals and the Six Nations after sustaining the injury during Clermont's 24-7 Champions Cup victory against Northampton on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, 16 cap pivot, hurt himself in a clash with Northampton's Nic Groom in the 23rd minute of the match.

"It appears that Lopez may be out of action for around five months", said coach Franck Azema as reported by Agence France-Presse.

Lopez was an expected starter for France in the end-of-year Tests.