Lock: Joe Launchbury (England)
The Wasps captain left the field early on his 150th appearance for the club as they breezed past Bristol Bears at the Ricoh Arena in early September. Early signs were that it could be a pretty bad calf injury with James Gaskell replacing him. If it does prove to be serious, that would leave Jones without Launchbury and George Kruis after the Saracens star made his move to Japan.
Lock: Courtney Lawes (England)
The Northampton Saints lock hobbled off with a knee injury against Sale Sharks as things went from bad to worse for Eddie Jones. The 31-year-old jumped for a high kick, but when returning to earth appeared to catch his studs in the turf and twist his right leg back at a painful angle before limping off, aided by Saints’ medical staff. It doesn’t look good.
Flanker: Aaron Shingler (Wales)
Last month it was revealed that he suffered a complication after being taken ill during lockdown and he will be taking no part in rugby any time soon. He will be sidelined until at least December.
Flanker: Ellis Jenkins (Wales)
The all-action openside is still sidelined after suffering a serious knee injury in the autumn of 2018. He’s recently returned to training following a prolonged period of rehabilitation, but is a long way off right now.
Number 8: Mark Wilson (England)
The back-rower has only made one start since the 2019 Rugby World Cup during a disasterous, injury-ravaged loan spell with Sale Sharks. Now back at Newcastle Falcons, he won’t have played a game in close to seven months when the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup kicks off. With a number of young back-rowers, such as Jack Willis, Ted Hill and Alex Dombrandt pushing for a call-up, the 30-year-old could miss out.
