Ulster went down fighting in a 43-31 defeat by Bordeaux at Stade Chaban-Delmas that ends their Investec Champions Cup campaign at the last-16 stage.
Toulouse back-row Anthony Jelonch has withdrawn from the France squad with less than two weeks to go until they get their Guinness Six Nations campaign underway against Wales in Paris.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack have been included in a 42-man France squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.
Rob Baxter admitted his team had suffered “a bit of a stuffing” following Exeter’s record 69-17 Investec Champions Cup defeat against Bordeaux-Begles.
Chiefs need a landslide bonus-point win in their final pool fixture against Ulster to have any chance of reaching the last-16, but an early exit still beckons because of their poor points difference.
France have sent 19 players back to their clubs for the next round of Top 14 action this weekend.
Antoine Dupont has returned to the France XVs squad after missing the first half of 2024 as he focussed on his ultra-successful switch to sevens.
Bordeaux-Begles suffered a record 59 - 3 defeat at the hands of Toulouse in Marseille in what was a tough pill to swallow for a side that has been magnificent this season.