England vice-captain Emily Scarratt undergoes surgery on broken leg

England's preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup has been a dealt a blow as vice-captain Emily Scarratt underwent surgery on her broken leg.

The 31-year-old sustained the blow while playing for Loughborough Lightning in the Premier 15s opener against Harlequins last weekend and has gone under the knife.

The news was confirmed by a statement released by the Rugby Football Union.

“Everyone at England Rugby sends their best wishes to Emily and wishes her a full and speedy recovery," read the statement.

"On behalf of Emily, we’d like to thank England supporters and the wider rugby family for the messages of support we have received following Sunday’s match.”

Scarratt has bee instrumental in England's success over the years and was part of the squad that went on to win the Six Nations in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020 (was also the Player of the Championship), 2021 and also enjoyed a World Cup win in 2014 during which she was named in the competition's dream team.

She is already England's leading point-scorer and in 2019 she was awarded the World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year and the Rugby Union World Player of the Year - the very same year she was also awarded full time England contract.

The surgery means she will now miss the red rose team's autumn international fixtures where they face Black Ferns twice apart from fixtures against the USA and Canada leading into the World Cup which kicks-off on 8th October next year.