Sam Underhill to miss England autumn tests after biceps rupture

Sam Underhill will miss England's autumn Nations Championship matches after rupturing his biceps during Bath's opening league game away to Harlequins, BBC Sport reported. The 30-year-old flanker needs surgery, with Bath expecting him to remain out until December or January. That timetable rules him out of England's November fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

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Underhill left the field in the 48th minute of Bath's victory at The Stoop and was later seen with his arm strapped. Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset that he suspected a serious injury as soon as the flanker came off. A subsequent scan confirmed the biceps rupture, and an operation is scheduled for Thursday.

Van Graan explained that he went straight to Underhill because of the potential longer-term consequences of the injury. He said certain injuries prompted him to seek an immediate assessment, although the initial concern still needed to be checked by a scan. The diagnosis means Underhill faces months away from both club and international rugby after completing his preparations for the new season.

It is another interruption to Underhill's England availability following a summer absence for shoulder surgery. He missed the internationals against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina while undergoing that treatment. The flanker has won 51 England caps and appeared in all five of their Six Nations matches this year, but will now also be unavailable for the three November internationals.

Bath have not fixed a precise comeback date. Van Graan acknowledged the frustration of an injury in the first round after a full pre-season, while pointing to the significant injuries Underhill has previously dealt with. His December-or-January estimate leaves the return window open rather than establishing a particular match for the flanker to target. Underhill made 22 appearances for Bath last season.

The club also have several other players recovering from injuries. New signing Jamie Bhatti broke a forearm in pre-season, while fellow prop Vilikesa Sela is out until November with a toe injury sustained during the same period. Wing Will Muir still has no return date following last season's shoulder injury. Ben Spencer and Louie Hennessey are expected back in team training in October.