France are facing a fly half crisis for their clash with South Africa after losing Romain Ntamack to a shoulder injury.

Ntamack was forced off in the first half of the 54-17 win over Fiji in Lyon grasping his left shoulder, with head coach Fabien Galthie confirming afterwards that the issue was “pretty serious” and likely to rule him out of the remainder of the Nations Championship.

Galthie is already without Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos , with Antoine Hastoy another of his playmaking options sidelined.

Stade Francais fly half Louis Carbonel, who has five caps, has been summoned to the squad to prepare for the Springboks, while uncapped youngster Axel Desperes has begun the season in good form for Pau.

It appears likely, though, that Galthie may pair captain Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu in the halves in Paris on Friday.

The two scrum halves are each capable at No 10, with Lucu starting there recently for Bordeaux Begles in the Investec Champions Cup against Gloucester.

Antoine Dupont could be…