Manu Tuilagi has suffered a fresh injury blow and withdrawn from England’s training squad for their three-day camp in Bristol.
The Leicester centre, who has recovered from a career-threatening groin problem and successive knee surgeries among a series of other injuries, had been hoping to make a first England appearance for two years, and potentially his first start in four years, this autumn.
However, the Rugby Football Union announced on Sunday the 27-year-old would not be involved in training this week.
Tuilagi played in the 44-37 defeat to Worcester in the Gallagher Premiership earlier in the day, alongside Ben Youngs – who has also withdrawn.
A Leicester spokesman said: “Ben and Manu went off in the second half of Sunday’s game with niggles which are expected to keep them out of training for the next few days. They will be assessed by the club in the next few days.”
England training squad
Forwards: (19) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: (15) Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Jordan Olowofela(Leicester Tigers).