England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster's plans for next month's three-Test tour of New Zealand have been thrown into further disarray after midfielder Billy Twelvetrees was ruled out for six weeks, after suffering an ankle injury.
The centre's likely absence adds to an ever-expanding injury and absentee list - with that timescale, Twelvetrees will stand little chance of making the first Test in Auckland on June 7th and will have to prove he is likely to be fit for the second in Dunedin a week later to stand any chance of making the squad.
The 25-year-old joins an absentee list that includes prop Alex Corbisiero, flanker Tom Croft and wingers Jack Nowell and Christian Wade, who are all recovering from injuries, and hooker Tom Youngs, who has been given compassionate leave.
And the players involved in the Premiership final will miss the first Test at Eden Park.
