France are seeking clarification from World Rugby over its handing down of suspensions to Romain Ntamack and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.

Ntamack was forced to miss their games with England and Italy due to his red card in the opener against Wales.

Ringrose, meanwhile, may only miss one game after being sent off at the Principality Stadium last month.

The initial three-match ban included Leinster’s victory over Cardiff on the weekend, with Ringrose also not allowed to play in this weekend’s game against France.

However, he could be available to face Italy in the final round if he completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme to reduce his ban to two matches.

FFR vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet said: “The two cases seemed very comparable to us. This is why we contacted World Rugby for a request for explanations.

“We need to be enlightened as to what could have motivated such a difference.

“What we see, looking back, is that Garry Ringrose never played for his province in these matches during the Six Nations tournament.

“With the information at our disposal, nothing suggests that this would have been the case this time. That is why we have made a request for explanations.”