Corbisiero ruled out of November internationals

alexcorbisiero_s

The Northampton Saints prop sustained a ligament tear during his club's Premiership victory over Bath on Saturday, and requires surgery to correct the issue.

Corbisiero is expected to be sidelined until the early part of next year, meaning he will not be available to coach Stuart Lancaster for England's fixtures against New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia in November.

A statement published on the Rugby Football Union's official website on Tuesday read: "The Saints and England medical teams are liaising on Corbisiero's treatment and recovery, with specialist advice being that the tear needs surgical repair so that he can play to an optimum level in the future.

"The 2013 British and Irish Lions third Test try-scorer, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, will aim to get back playing in time for the 2015 6 Nations next February, which starts with an eye-catching trip to Cardiff."

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola, who was unavailable for England's mid-year trip to New Zealand with a knee injury, is also expected to miss the upcoming games.

England begin their autumn campaign against world champions New Zealand - whose last defeat came at Twickenham in December 2012 - on November 8.

Lancaster will name his squad for the four fixtures on October 22.

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