Marler out for season
England prop Joe Marler is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury.
However, the front row forward should still be fit for the World Cup.
Marler was named in Harlequins' starting side for their English Premiership match away to Sale on Saturday, but was withdrawn.
After the London-based visitors won 25-23, Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea said Marler may need an operation – but insisted he would still be available for the September to October World Cup in England.
"It's not a worry for the World Cup," said O'Shea.
"He [Marler] came back from the Six Nations with a shoulder injury.
"We thought because he had this problem before that you could strengthen it, but we made the decision yesterday [Friday]."
The former Ireland fullback added: "Will he be fit for the rest of the season? No. But will he be fine for the [England] training camps? Yes.
"He will probably need an operation, but it's only a minor one, it's not going to be something that's going to have any impact on him.
"We thought he could strengthen but it's not something you can mess around with."
Despite Marler's absence, Harlequins won with England captain Chris Robshaw one of their four try-scorers as they closed to within a point of seventh-placed Sale.
