England could be forced to begin their Six Nations campaign without centre Manu Tuilagi.
The 20-year-old is currently suffering with a hamstring injury that he suffered during Leicester's 32-12 win over Worcester last month.
The complaint has seen him ruled out for a month, meaning that he will struggle to be fit in time for the competition opener against Scotland on Saturday, February 4.
A week later England travel to Italy, a match that may also come too soon for Tuilagi.
Samoa-born Tuilagi has made seven appearances for England.
