Dylan Hartley returns but England suffer George Kruis blow

England captain Dylan Hartley is all set to make a comeback from a back injury for his club Northampton Saints in Saturday's European Champions Cup encounter against Castres Olympique.

However, the news will be a mixed one for England as Saracens lock George Kruis has recently undergone a surgery on his ankle and will remain on the sidelines for "number of weeks".

Kruis becomes the latest addition to the long list of injured players ahead of England's autumn internationals with Anthony Watson (fractured jaw), James Haskell (foot), Manu Tuilagi (groin), Jack Clifford (ankle), Mike Williams (broken arm), Jack Nowell and Sam Jones (broken leg) have already been ruled out of the November Tests.

Nowell's, Exeter team-mate Luke Cowan-Dickie is also set to miss the autumn international after the ankle ligament injury he sustained in Exeter's European Champions Cup loss to Clermont Auvergne.

Saracens' rugby director Mark McCall said: " After consultation with George and England, we are all in agreement that it's in the best interest of the player to undergo this minor procedure now with the majority of the season still ahead of us.

"George is on the road to recovery and we look forward to his return to action sooner rather than later."

Now Eddie Jones might opt for either Wasps captain Joe Launchbury or Northampton's Courtney Lawes as a possible replacement for Kruis, while Saracens star Maro Itoje might be forced at openside considering the injuries to the specialists.