England lose Pepper and Janse van Rensburg for November Tests

England will be without Guy Pepper and Benhard Janse van Rensburg for their November Nations Championship matches, while Fin Smith's availability remains uncertain. Press Association reported that the two absences were confirmed as Steve Borthwick's squad continued preparations for the international autumn programme.

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Pepper injured his ankle during the second half of Bath's 23-5 defeat at Gloucester on Friday. According to a report published by AOL, the 23-year-old flanker has started 10 of England's past 12 matches. Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said Pepper had avoided a fracture or a more serious injury, but expressed disappointment for the player, his club and England.

Janse van Rensburg's absence follows two significant concussions in his past three games, PA reported. The Bristol centre was knocked unconscious against Northampton on October 3. Borthwick said specialist advice was for several weeks of non-contact activity before a gradual return to rugby. The centre made his England debut against Fiji in July and has won two caps.

Smith, meanwhile, is recovering from a calf strain sustained against Leicester while playing for Northampton. Borthwick said his progress had been encouraging, but selection for the Australia match on November 8 was not yet assured. George Ford and Marcus Smith are the alternatives if he cannot play, according to reporting carried by Yahoo Sports.

PA also reported more encouraging developments for Seb Atkinson and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Both were on course to become available for their clubs this weekend following knee and hamstring problems respectively, although their returns were not confirmed.

Bath's injury update extended beyond Pepper. The AOL report said Argentina fly-half Santi Carreras would miss the remainder of the club season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the first half at Gloucester. Carreras, 28, will also be absent from Argentina's Nations Championship matches. Van Graan said Bath would support him through his rehabilitation, with the injury requiring a lengthy spell away from competitive rugby.