Thursday 25 August 2016 22:24, UK
Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell will miss the start of the Aviva Premiership season because of a back problem, although the club's director of rugby Mark McCall insists his injury 'is not serious'.
Farrell, who was instrumental in England's 3-0 series whitewash of Australia in June, sustained the injury during pre-season more than a month ago.
The 24-year-old will sit out the Premiership opener against Worcester at Twickenham on September 3 and possibly other matches, and McCall said: "Owen has a little bit of a back niggle but it's nothing serious.
"We'll have to see how it is at the start of next week.
"It isn't related to the England tour. It's something that has been picked up in the last five weeks. We don't expect him to miss too much though."
Farrell was a central figure in Saracens' march to Premiership and European Champions Cup success last season and, on the strength of his displays against the Wallabies in June, is knocking on the door of world class status.
Alex Lozowski, a summer recruit from Wasps, is expected to deputise at fly-half in Farrell's absence, while Alex Goode is also an option in that position.