The Toulouse lock sustained the problem in a Heineken Cup match against Llanelli Scarlets in December, but had been expected to be back for at least part of the Six Nations.

However, his ankle has not healed as quickly as he had hoped and Pelous has exacerbated the injury by returning to training too soon.

Les Bleus team manager Jo Maso has confirmed his skipper would not play in the tournament.

"Fabien is out for three weeks," Maso said.

"He returned to Toulouse yesterday (Monday) evening to get treatment.

"He took a test, which revealed the ankle was bruised. There was an inflammation because Fabien wanted to return too quickly.

"He can't run for three weeks and is out of the tournament."

Wasps hooker Raphaël Ibañez has been France's stand-in captain in the absence of Pelous, and should continue in that role until the end of the Six Nations.