England flanker Jack Willis faces up to a year on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a serious knee injury suffered during the Six Nations match against Italy last month.
Willis was twisted out of a ruck by Italy's Sebastian Negri during England's 41-18 win, with the 24-year-old needing almost 10 minutes of medical attention before being carried off on a stretcher.
Taking to Instagram to confirm the news, the Wasps flanker said: "I've torn my MCL (medial collateral ligament) off the bone at the bottom, torn a bit off the top as well, so I am going to need that fully repaired.
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"Torn both meniscus, the medial meniscus from the root one side. Pretty gutted, I could be out for up to a year."
Willis was named in England's squad for their tour of South Africa in 2018 but was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury in the Wasps' Premiership semi-final defeat to the Saracens.
However, he went on to make his debut for Eddie Jones' side in the 40-0 Autumn Nations Cup win against Georgia in November, opening the scoring with a debut try in the 15th minute.
Lions team selector: Who impressed in 6N R3?
After Six Nations Round 3, pick your British and Irish Lions XV from the players performing for the four home nations.
Wales beat England at the Principality Stadium in controversial circumstances, while Ireland comfortably dispatched Italy in Rome. Scotland had no game in Round 3 due an outbreak of coronavirus within the France squad.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland was an interested spectator, but who would make it into your potential Lions XV to face the world champion Springboks? Have your say with our team selector...