Thursday 7 January 2016 14:37, UK
England wing Jonny May will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
The 25-year-old has had surgery on a ligament injury suffered during Gloucester's game against Harlequins at Twickenham 11 days ago and will therefore miss the Six Nations Championship in addition to being ruled out of his club's domestic and European campaigns.
In a statement, the Kingsholm club said: "As a result of the knee injury sustained against Harlequins at Twickenham, Jonny May underwent surgery this week to repair damage to a ligament injury in his left knee.
"As a result of the procedure, Jonny will be unavailable for selection for the rest of the season."
May has won 19 caps and started three of England's games during their dismal World Cup campaign earlier this season.
He has scored six tries in his last 12 Tests, and although he has sometimes struggled for consistency at the highest level, his finishing ability meant he was a potent attacking force for England.
And May's absence is a further blow for new head coach Eddie Jones as he builds towards the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6.
Jones has been dealt three injury setbacks this week alone, with Leicester forward Ed Slater and Bath lock Dave Attwood both facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Slater and Attwood join England's ever-lengthening list of injuries, with May, props Kieran Brookes and Alex Corbisiero, back row Dave Ewers and centres Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi set to miss all, or part, of the Six Nations campaign.
England's first foreign coach, Australian Jones, is due to announce the first elite player squad of his reign on Wednesday, January 13.
