England
Tuilagi ruled out of autumn internationals
ESPN Staff
October 21, 2014
Manu Tuilagi played in all three of England's Tests against New Zealand this summer © Getty Images
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Manu Tuilagi will miss the entirety of England's November Test programme after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a groin injury.

The centre joins forwards Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs and Geoff Parling on the list of players unavailable to Stuart Lancaster, who will name his squad to face New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia on Wednesday.

Tuilagi pulled up after just 15 minutes of Leicester's 25-18 victory over Ulster in the European Rugby Champions Cup after suffering a recurrence of the long-standing problem.

Initial reports suggested that the 23-year-old could be back within three weeks, but the Leicester Tigers medical staff have confirmed that the injury is more serious than first thought.

"I'd be very surprised if Manu plays any part in the autumn," Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill told Sky Sports News. "He'll clearly be missing for a few weeks as a minimum."

In Tuilagi's absence, Lancaster is likely to turn to the likes of Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell and Kyle Eastmond in midfield, with Henry Slade also impressing with Exeter and England Saxons over the last 12 months.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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