Sam Underhill ruptured bicep: England flanker faces surgery and will miss November Tests

Sam Underhill will undergo surgery on a ruptured bicep and will miss England’s November Nations Championship Tests, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan has confirmed.

The flanker was forced off just 48 minutes into Bath’s 33-17 Gallagher Premiership victory over Harlequins at The Stoop on Friday, a match that marked his comeback after a shoulder issue ruled him out of England’s July Tests.

Van Graan rushed to the tunnel during the match fearing a serious injury, and a scan has confirmed the worst. “At the time it was very much, ‘we need to wait for the scan, but this could be a bicep rupture’, and the scan turned out to be exactly that,” he said. “He will get operated on on Thursday.”

There is no official return date, but Van Graan said Underhill faces “a few months out of the game” and suggested he could return in December or January. “It is always disappointing for every player when you get injured in round one, because you have just come through a big pre-season and you are just getting started,” he added.

The setback rules Underhill out of England’s Nations Championship campaign in November and opens the door for another back-rower to force their way into Steve Borthwick’s plans.

Sources

• Planet Rugby — England star Underhill OUT of Nations Championship Tests, set for surgery: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/england-star-sam-underhill-out-of-nations-championship-tests-as-bath-issue-surgery-update
• Ruck — Statement: Sam Underhill stood down with immediate effect: https://www.ruck.co.uk/england-rugby-news/statement-sam-underhill-stood-down-with-immediate-effect
• RugbyPass — Johann van Graan’s worst fears confirmed over Sam Underhill injury: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/johann-van-graans-worst-fears-confirmed-over-sam-underhill-injury/