England's Maro Itoje ruled out of autumn internationals with broken hand
European player of the year Maro Itoje will miss England's autumn Tests after fracturing his right hand.
Itoje's club Saracens confirmed the injury, which happened during Saturday's European Champions Cup victory over the Scarlets at Allianz Park.
Saracens say that second-row forward Itoje requires surgery and will be sidelined for six weeks. It will rule him out of England's games against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia, and is a huge blow for club and country.
It is the latest in a number of major injury setbacks for England head coach Eddie Jones.
Jones has already lost the likes of Itoje's Saracens and England second-row partner George Kruis for the autumn, in addition to players like James Haskell, Anthony Watson and Jack Clifford.
In a statement released by Saracens, the club's rugby director Mark McCall said: "For any team to lose a player of the ability of Maro is a blow, and he will be missed through the autumn for both Saracens and England.
"What's now important for Maro is his recovery, and we look forward to his return later this season."
Jones is due to announce his squad for the autumn games on Wednesday, and England will go into those Tests on the back of a nine-match winning run since he took charge.
Itoje, 21, was replaced in the 46th minute of Saracens' 44-26 victory over the Scarlets after his arm was trapped awkwardly while making a tackle.
And of all the injury blows Jones has faced, Itoje's loss is arguably the most significant.
He has made rapid strides to world-class status in a remarkably short space of time, starring for England and Saracens.
Itoje helped England to Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory last season, then started all three games when Jones' team claimed a 3-0 Test series whitewash against Australia Down Under.
And he was a hugely-influential figure during Saracens' march to winning the European Champions Cup and retaining the Aviva Premiership title last term.
With Itoje and Kruis sidelined, it looks as if Jones will now turn to seasoned campaigners Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes for the Springboks clash on November 12.
Itoje had also been talked about as an openside flanker option for Jones, with Haskell and other candidates like Leicester's Mike Williams and Wasps' Sam Jones all injured.
But the Australian will now have to look elsewhere as he faces a serious test of his resources.
