Robshaw joins list of England absentees

England have suffered another blow after Chris Robshaw was ruled out of the November internationals with a knee injury.

After undergoing surgery, the former captain will be out for up to eight weeks due to damage done in Harlequins’ Premiership derby defeat to Saracens, leaving Eddie Jones without another influential figure in his back-row.

Number eight Billy Vunipola will miss the Tests against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia due to a broken arm sustained in Saracens’ European Champions Cup win at Glasgow Warriors on Sunday.

Joe Launchbury was also ruled out last week after undergoing knee surgery and Sam Simmonds will be sidelined for six months due to knee ligament damage.

Jones could also be without Nathan Hughes and Alex Lozowski, who are waiting to discover if they will be suspended, while Joe Marler last month announcement his international retirement.

Quins head of rugby said Paul Gustard said of Robshaw’s absence: “We are hugely disappointed to lose Chris for a short period of time while he recovers from this injury.

“Not least because he has been one of our standout performers across our first seven games this season and also because this period in the calendar provides the opportunity to represent England in the Autumn Internationals and I am sure he would have featured strongly in Eddie Jones’ plans for those matches.

“Knowing Chris’ character and resilience I am confident he will make the most of this opportunity and come back even better and stronger. He will still play an active role in leading our team despite not being able to take the field.”

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