England flanker Sam Underhill has been ruled out of the upcoming Six Nations campaign after being referred for ankle surgery.
The injury, sustained during Bath's recent defeat to Northampton, worsened an issue Underhill previously aggravated during England’s autumn series.
The flanker, renowned for his physicality and consistency, picked up the injury while setting up a try for Max Ojomoh during Sunday’s match.
Despite continuing to play, Underhill experienced significant discomfort post-match. Bath coach Johann van Graan expressed concern earlier this week, stating:
“Sam picked up the knock to the ankle setting up the try for Max Ojomoh and played on but after the game it was quite sore and that is a bit of a worry for him.
"Sam is a very important player for us and he plays very well in big games. Looking back at the Premiership final, he was one of our best players that day.”
Underhill, who is not centrally contracted with England, has been a mainstay in the national setup thanks to his standout performances. However, his unavailability presents an opportunity for emerging talents as England head coach Steve Borthwick prepares to name his squad on Tuesday.
Names like Tom Willis and Henry Pollock are now in contention to step up and fill the void left by Underhill. With the Six Nations opener against Ireland just three weeks away, Borthwick faces a critical decision in reshaping England’s back-row options.
No official timeline has been provided for Underhill’s recovery. However, given the nature of the injury and impending surgery, the flanker’s return to competitive rugby may take several months, ruling him out of a substantial portion of the season.