Lock Geoff Parling has been ruled out of England’s opening autumn international against Australia on Saturday after sustaining a mild concussion during training.
The 30-year-old second row has featured in all ten of England’s RBS 6 Nations matches in the last two years while he started the second and third Tests of the British & Irish Lions’ successful tour of Australia this summer.
His absence will therefore come as a blow to head coach Stuart Lancaster, who will now pick his second row partnership from Joe Launchbury, Dave Attwood and Courtney Lawes, having trimmed his squad to 23.
He said: “It’s never easy deciding who to select and that’s what you want – players pushing hard for places across the board. We have had two good days of training here at Pennyhill Park and, added to last week in Leeds, we are in good form and looking forward to the game.
“Geoff Parling sustained a mild concussion during a contact session this afternoon and will undergo the recommended graduated return to play protocol. As such, he will be unavailable for Saturday’s game but will stay in camp with a view to returning to training next week.”
Uncapped centre Henry Trinder was among the 11 players released back to their clubs, meaning Saracens’ Joel Tomkins looks set for his debut at Twickenham.
Meanwhile, full-back Ben Foden has been rewarded for his impressive form for Northampton Saints of late and he remains in the squad for Saturday’s clash with the Wallabies.
