Sam Underhill is set to miss England’s Six Nations campaign after undergoing ankle surgery.
The Bath flanker picked up the injury during the victory over Leicester Tigers on December 30 and he is now expected to miss the next three months of action after going under the knife to resolve the issue.
Related: Ireland Handed Henshaw Boost
If the 22-year-old, who has been capped seven times for the Red Rose, is out for this length of time it would see him miss the tournament, which starts on Friday, February 1 and ends on Saturday, March 16.
Underhill’s absence will be a bitter blow to head coach Eddie Jones, who is already without the injured Tom Curry whilst there are doubts over Chris Robshaw and James Haskell.
It means Newcastle Falcons star Mark Wilson could switch from Number 8 to the side of the scrum, with Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes back available after returning from injury and suspension respectively.
England kick off their Six Nations against defending champions Ireland in Dublin on February 2.
