Barrelling centre Mathieu Bastareaud is out of Saturday's Six Nations clash away to Ireland due to a head injury, France said on Monday.

The burly 28-year-old took a knock to the head while playing for Toulon against Lyon on Saturday.

He took a "neurological test" on Monday which "does not allow him to be available for the Six Nations match against Ireland" said the French Federation in a statement.

Bastareaud was called up by Guy Noves for the first time in January having not been in the international set up since the 2015 World Cup, when Philippe Saint-Andre was coach.

He wasn't used in either the defeat to England or the victory over Scotland, though.

Bastareaud has played 39 times, scoring three tries, for France since making his debut against Wales in the Six Nations in 2009.

Source: AFP