Guilhem Guirado will miss the Six Nations after the France captain was ruled out for five months with a ruptured bicep.
Guirado suffered the injury just before the hour-mark on his Montpellier debut in a 19-19 Top 14 draw against his former club Toulon at Stade Mayol on Saturday.
Montpellier revealed on Tuesday that the hooker is to undergo surgery and will not be available until April.
The 33-year-old will play no part in Les Bleus' Six Nations campaign under Fabien Galthie, who replaced Jacques Brunel after the Rugby World Cup.
Montpellier have also lost wing Jim Nagusa for 10 weeks due to a knee injury.
Two-time Top 14 champions Montpellier travel to Connacht for their first European Champions Cup Pool 5 fixture on Sunday.
