Scrumhalf Ben Youngs could miss England’s three-Test tour of South Africa in June after he was ruled out for four months due to a knee injury.

Youngs was injured in the early stages of England’s 46-15 victory over Italy on Sunday, and it has since been confirmed that the 28-year-old ruptured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least four months.

But while Youngs is expected to return to fitness early in June, the injury still casts doubt over his chances of inclusion in England’s squad, especially since the Test series against the Boks starts on 9 June.

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