Murphy has started 19 of Tigers 24 games in league and cups, and has been named on the bench on a further four occasions.
But, after taking a knock in the Guinness Premiership victory over Leeds Carnegie at Welford Road last weekend, the 23-year-old sits out Saturdays fixture.
Also unavailable for selection due to injury are Aaron Mauger, Seru Rabeni, Marco Wentzel, Ayoola Erinle, Luke Abraham, Christophe Laussucq, Lewis Moody, Richard Blaze and James Hamilton, while Dan Hipkiss and Ben Herring have picked up injuries since starting against Leeds Carnegie last weekend.
Martin Castrogiovanni is on international duty with Italy and will win his 53rd cap in the RBS 6 Nations match against France, while clubmates Tom Croft, Ben Kay and George Chuter are with England. Injury has cost Geordan Murphy his place in the Ireland squad.
Internationals Harry Ellis and Alesana Tuilagi, though, are included in the Tigers starting line-up for the trip to Sixways after their recovery from long-term injury.