England have lost Jamie George for their entire autumn programme after the Saracens hooker sustained a foot injury against Leicester on Saturday.
George failed to appear for the second half of the repeat of last season’s Gallagher Premiership final and departed StoneX Stadium with his left foot in a boot.
Saracens have revealed the extent of the damage by ruling the British and Irish Lion out of next month’s Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
“It is expected that he will be out for around 10 weeks, returning in early December,” a statement read.
George had made an imposing start to the new season and now England boss Eddie Jones must plan for the autumn without his first choice hooker from the July tour to Australia.
Starting all three Tests against the Wallabies was a significant personal achievement for George, who was among the senior players culled by Jones in the wake of a dismal Six Nations in 2021.
Ankle and knee injuries sustained by his closest rival Luke Cowan-Dickie offered a route back into the number two jersey, but Down Under he kept the Exeter Chief out on the basis of his form.
Alongside Cowan-Dickie, Newcastle’s George McGuigan and Jack Singleton are the hookers included in the 36-man England squad that has completed a three-day camp in south west London.
The first assignment of the autumn is against Argentina on November 6, with Manu Tuilagi’s name being cautiously pencilled in at centre.
Tuilagi’s stop-start career stalled yet again when he suffered a torn hamstring against South Africa a year ago and he has not played for England since, with the problematic muscle injury then followed up by a knee issue.
Now restored to full fitness, it is hoped the defence-scattering Sale back will be ready for the first of 13 Tests between now and the World Cup.
“We all know how strong Manu is at ball carrying and defensively how hard he can hit, but what people forget around Manu he’s a quick learner, he knows the game very well,” forwards coach Richard Cockerill said.
“And he’s got a really good skill set. So if Manu is physically fit and he’s on his game, he’s got all the attributes, not only the physical ones, but he’s an intelligent footballer too.
“He’s in really tremendous shape. His body weight’s good, he’s lean and ripped. He’s a family man now with different responsibilities so he’s just a good pro and he understands his body really well.”