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Luke Cowan-Dickie and Anthony Watson ruled out of England’s autumn Tests

England were coming to terms with a day of grim injury updates after Luke Cowan-Dickie and Anthony Watson were ruled out of the entire Autumn Nations Series.

Cowan-Dickie has fallen to the ankle problem sustained in Exeter’s victory at Wasps on Saturday and has been replaced in Eddie Jones’ 34-man squad for the Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa by Jamie George.

And in another seismic blow to England, Watson will also miss the autumn and potentially even the Six Nations after Bath confirmed he ruptured his ACL during Sunday’s home rout by Saracens.

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The only ray of light on an otherwise bleak afternoon was that Maro Itoje’s shoulder injury, incurred at the Recreation Ground on Sunday, is not serious and he should be available to face Tonga at Twickenham on November 6.

The PA news agency understands that Itoje is being monitored on a daily basis and he has yet to be ruled out of this weekend’s match against Wasps.

Eddie Jones' plans have changed
Eddie Jones’ plans have changed (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Otherwise, Jones must now revise his plans after losing two guaranteed starters – both of them Test Lions.

Cowan-Dickie established himself as England’s first-choice hooker during this year’s Six Nations and went on to make three appearances for Warren Gatland’s men against South Africa in the summer, starting the first and second instalments of the series.

While losing him is a setback to the team’s prospects this autumn, Jones has a ready-made replacement in George, the 59-cap Saracens veteran who was contentiously left out of the original squad announced on Monday.

Along with fellow old guard the Vunipola brothers and George Ford, George has been given orders by Jones to show hunger or risk being overlooked for a third World Cup.

All four players have been in outstanding club form since being ignored for a wider training squad named a month ago but Jones has pivoted towards youth with France 2023 in mind.

Anthony Watson faces a spell on the sidelines
Anthony Watson faces a spell on the sidelines (David Davies/PA)

“Eddie Jones has called up Saracens hooker Jamie George to the squad, which will meet on Monday to travel to Jersey for a five-day training camp as they prepare for the fixtures,” a Rugby Football Union statement read.

Watson also started the first and second Lions Tests against South Africa and his absence will leave Jonny May, Adam Radwan and Tommy Freeman to battle it out for the two wing slots, unless Jones calls up additional cover in the position.

Bath are consulting a knee specialist to put in place a recovery plan for the 27-year-old and have yet to set a return date for a player who previously overcame two ruptured Achilles.

“We are all feeling Anthony’s disappointment right now,” director of rugby Stuart Hooper said.

“He is a remarkable athlete who will put as much work into his rehabilitation as he does into his on-field performance. We know Anthony will come back stronger from this and we will support him every step of the way.”

Harlequins centre Joe Marchant has been called up by Jones as Watson’s replacement.