Hooker Kepu Tuipulotu has emerged as a doubt for England’s Nations Championship campaign after picking up a knee injury in national training on Tuesday.
The uncapped 21-year-old had been tipped to make his England breakthrough this autumn.
However, it is understood he will not be included in the England squad for the opener with Australia on 8 November, with an exact timeframe on his return unclear.
Tuipulotu also qualifies for Wales, the country of his birth, and was even invited to train with the senior side by then-coach Warren Gatland but opted to focus on England.
He joined Bath’s academy in 2024 and signed a contract with the club until 2028 earlier this year.
Scrum-half Archie McParland is also an injury concern, and has not been included in the Northampton squad to face Gloucester at the weekend, while fly-half Fin Smith is a major doubt for the Wallabies fixture.
In more positive injury news, Gloucester Seb Atkinson has been named at inside centre for the Cherry and Whites as he bids to prove his fitness.
England also face Japan and New Zealand next month, before the Nations Championship finals weekend at the end of November.