Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes has received a six-week suspension for punching, ruling him out of  England’s Tests against the Springboks, All Blacks and Japan in November.

Hughes was initially banned for four weeks due to mitigating factors, but this was extended after Hughes tweeted ‘what a joke’ after leaving the hearing last week.

His absence means that England will definitely be without their two first-choice eighthmen as Billy Vunipola fractured his arm while on duty for Saracens.

It has also been confirmed that prop Mako Vunipola and lock Nick Isiekwe will miss all four Tests, including the last one against the Wallabies. Vunipola is set for six-week layoff due to a calf tear and Isiekwe will be out for eight weeks following an ankle sprain. Both injuries were sustained in Saracens’ match against the Glasgow Warriors.

Sam Simmonds has already been ruled out after rupturing his ankle ligaments, so either Bath’s Zach Mercer or Gloucester’s Ben Morgan will be included in the squad.

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