England flanker Sam Underhill has been stood down after suffering a worrying biceps injury on the opening night of the new PREM season.
The Bath star was forced from the field during Friday night's 33-17 victory against Harlequins at The Stoop.
Underhill lasted just 48 minutes before his night came to an early end, with Bath now waiting for the results of a scan.
It is another frustrating setback for the 30-year-old, who missed England's summer programme after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The injury comes at a bad time for Steve Borthwick, with attention already turning towards England's November internationals.
Van Graan confirms injury
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan confirmed after the game that the early signs point towards a biceps problem.
"It seems like a biceps injury. Obviously Sam will have to go for a scan," said Van Graan.
"As we know, if the biceps is gone that's a number of months. Hopefully we've got a bit of grace there, but I guess we'll know a bit more next week."
Speaking after the game, Van Graan admitted Underhill could now be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
That leaves the England international facing an anxious wait ahead of the autumn campaign.
Borthwick's side begin their Nations Championship fixtures against Australia on November 8, with the full England schedule also featuring Japan and New Zealand.
Underhill had started Bath's PREM opener at openside alongside Josh Bayliss and new signing Dan du Preez.
He had already made his presence felt before being forced off, including a big defensive hit close to the Bath line.
England injury concern
The timing could hardly be worse for Borthwick.
Underhill's latest setback comes after he missed England's summer programme following shoulder surgery, meaning another lengthy absence would put his autumn involvement in serious doubt.
It gives Borthwick another potential selection headache as he prepares to name his squad, with England's latest injury and availability news likely to be closely watched over the coming weeks.
Bath will now wait for the scan before establishing the full extent of the damage.
For now, Underhill is out of action, with Van Graan admitting the flanker could be facing a significant spell on the sidelines.
Read also
Harlequins vs Bath player ratings
Harlequins and Bath began their 2026/27 Prem campaigns with a game under the lights at the Stoop which saw the away side win 17-33 in front of a packed crowd.
Harlequins player ratings
13. Oscar Beard – 7.5
12. Bryn Bradley – 5
11. Cadan Murley (c) – 6
10. Connor Slevin – 4.5 (Subbed 73')
9. Will Porter – 7.5 (Subbed 54')
1. Will Hobson – 5 (Subbed 61')
2. Jack Walker – 5 (Subbed 50') (Subbed On: 58')
3. Pedro Delgado – 6 (Subbed 50')
4. James Dun – 4 (Subbed 58')
5. Harry Browne – 5
6. Jack Kenningham – 6
7. Will Evans – 7
8. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7 (Subbed 50')
Replacements
16. Sam Riley – 3 (Subbed On: 50', Subbed: 58')
17. Boris Wenger – 4 (Subbed On 61')
18. Harry Johnson-Holmes – 4 (Subbed On 50')
19. Kieran Treadwell – 4 (Subbed On 54')
20. Guido Petti – 4 (Subbed 50')
21. Lucas Friday – 5 (Subbed On 58')
22. Josh Bellamy – 3 (Subbed On 73')
23. Rodrigo Isgró – 5 (Subbed On 66')
Bath player ratings
15. Santi Carreras – 7
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 6 (Subbed 58')
13. Ollie Lawrence – 6.5 (Subbed 58')
12. Max Ojomoh – 7
11. Tom de Glanville – 7.5
10. Finn Russell – 7
9. Tom Carr-Smith – (Subbed 58')
1. Beno Obano – 5.5
2. Dan Frost – 6 (Subbed 58')
3. Will Stuart – 6 (Subbed 58')
4. Ted Hill – 6.5 (Subbed 66')
5. Charlie Ewels (c) – 6
6. Josh Bayliss – 6
7. Sam Underhill – 6 (Subbed 48')
8. Dan du Preez – 6
Replacements
16. Kepueli Tuipulotu – 5 (Subbed On58')
17. Scott Kirk – 5 (Subbed On 58')
18. Archie Griffin – 5 (Subbed On58')
19. Ewan Richards – 6 (Subbed On 66')
20. Guy Pepper – 5 (Subbed On: 48')
21. Bernard van der Linde – 5 (Subbed On 58')
22. Cameron Redpath – 5 (Subbed On: 58')
23. Miles Reid – 6 (Subbed On: 58')
