"Paul Willemse is suffering from a rupture of the medial lateral ligament of the knee. We currently estimate his unavailability at eight weeks," said the MHR in a press release, the day after medical examinations.
The experienced second row (29) will not play again with Montpellier before the end of the championship, the final of which is scheduled for June 25 at the Stade de France, nor obviously in the European Cup.
Willemse was injured on Saturday during the defeat (43-20) conceded to Lyon, during the 24th day of Top 14, on the edge of the final sprint.
The presence of the French international (24 selections, 2 tries), of South African origin, at the summer tour of the French team in Japan is also compromised.
The Blues will play two tests against the "Brave Blossoms" on July 2 and 9.
Willemse (2.01 m, 128 kg), naturalized since November 2018, has established himself since the arrival of Fabien Galthié at the head of the France team as a basic element of the Blues.
He started in five matches of the last Six Nations Tournament, concluded with a Grand Slam for the French, notably playing the entire match in Wales.
It's a new blow for Montpellier, already deprived of South African scrum-half Cobus Reinach, operated on the shoulder Wednesday in his native country.
The experienced second line is one of the keystones of the MHR pack, which he joined in 2015 from Grenoble.
Montpellier, leader of the Top 14 two days from the end and well placed for direct qualification for the semi-finals, is preparing to play the second European Cup quarter-final in its history on Saturday in La Rochelle.
© 2022 AFP