Tuilagi blow for England
England will be without prolific centre Manu Tuilagi for at least the opening November Test against New Zealand after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.
Tuilagi, who boasts 25 international caps, featured in Leicester Tigers' 25-18 European Cup victory over Ulter but limped off after just 15 minutes.
England's squad is expected to be announced on Wednesday and there is a possibility Tuilagi could still be named despite Leicester Tigers' Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill doubting it.
Tuilagi had scans on the injury on Monday and the full extent of the injury is still unknown but Cockerill admitted that Tuilagi was likely to be out of action for at least four weeks.
"It's a recurrence of his groin, which is not great and that was three weeks [that he sat out] last time. I'd be very surprised if Manu plays any part in the November Test. He'll clearly be missing for a few weeks as a minimum.
"He’s had scans and we are just waiting for the exact prognosis but he clearly will be missing for a few weeks as a minimum, we will have to see where we get to," he said
Tuilagi has already been assessed by England’s medical staff ahead of Stuart Lancaster's squad announcement.
"The club and England are very closely aligned. We had the doctor in yesterday, everyone is aware of the situation and it’s a continual dialogue.
"It’s a slightly different injury. He went to push off and accelerate. He thought he was going to score. He felt his groin go and there was no power. For Manu to come off immediately after that was unusual. He was in a fair bit of pain.
"At this point we just need to find out exactly what the problem is and find the right treatment for him," Cockerill said.
Tuilagi missed most of last season with a pectoral muscle injury and was then sidelined for three weeks by a groin injury before returning two weeks ago.
