Tuesday 24 May 2016 19:21, UK
Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out of England's tour to Australia due to a hamstring injury.
The centre sustained the injury playing for Leicester Tigers in their 44-17 Aviva Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens at Allianz Park on Saturday.
Tuilagi, who was making his comeback from a knee problem in the match and playing on an artificial surface for the first time, departed after only 20 minutes when he damaged his right hamstring while attempting to tackle Chris Wyles.
The 25-year-old was still included in the England squad for this summer's three Tests against Australia when coach Eddie Jones announced his touring party on Sunday.
However, Tuilagi has now been withdrawn from the tour after undergoing a scan and a review by the England medical team on Monday.
"It's bad luck for Manu so close to the tour but it provides a great opportunity for someone else," said Jones. "We wish Manu all the best and a quick recovery."
A replacement for Tuilagi will be announced following the game against Wales at Twickenham on Sunday, with Luther Burrell and Ollie Devoto in the frame.
Tuilagi has suffered a number of injury setbacks during his career and he has now been hampered by two separate hamstring complaints and a knee issue since he returned from a 15-month absence due to a groin problem in January.
It is almost two years since he started for England with his only appearance since the 2014 tour to New Zealand a final quarter cameo as a replacement in the Six Nations victory over Wales in February.
There were also fears over Owen Farrell's fitness for the Wallabies series, but these have receded with Saracens confident the fly-half will be able to play in Saturday's Aviva Premiership final against Exeter at Twickenham.
Farrell suffered a rib injury in the victory over Leicester last weekend, but is expected to be given the all clear alongside centre Duncan Taylor, who has concussion.
"Owen's fine. He's got bit of an issue with his side and didn't train on Tuesday, but he'll be fine. He'll be training on Thursday," said Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall.
"Duncan Taylor took a bang to the head against Leicester and is doing his return to play protocols, but everything has gone according to plan so far and we expect him to train on Thursday as well."
