MAJOR BLOW: France captain Thierry Dusautoir and winger Sofiane Guitoune have both been ruled out of the Six Nations championship.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir and winger Sofiane Guitoune have both been ruled out of the Six Nations championship after sustaining serious injuries in the Heineken Cup.

Flanker Dusautoir, who has won 65 international caps, ruptured a biceps tendon during Toulouse's European victory against Zebre on Saturday and is set to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

"It's a big blow for us and for France," Toulouse coach Guy Noves told local radio station France Bleu, confirming that the 32-year-old player will be out for four months.

"He probably won't play again with Toulouse this season. As far as France are concerned, I think he will have recovered for the June tour" of Australia, added Noves.

The 24-year-old Guitoune, who made his international debut in November, ruptured his Achilles tendon in Perpignan's defeat at home against Gloucester on Sunday, organisers ERC reported.

French media reported he will be out for the rest of the season.

France, who finished bottom of the Six Nations last year, host England in their opening match on Feb. 1.

The squad, set to gather on Sunday night for a two-week training camp, were already without several key players including centre Florian Fritz, scrumhalf Morgan Parra and winger Vincent Clerc.