England flanker Richard Hill is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing knee surgery.
Hill, who has won 71 caps and was a major part of England's World Cup-winning team, faces a lay-off of between six and nine months in what is a hammer blow for caretaker coach Andy Robinson.
Hill's club Saracens has confirmed that he underwent a reconstruction of his anterior cruciate ligament last night, and will now start intensive rehabilitation.
Hill was injured during his club's Zurich Premiership defeat against London Irish last Sunday, and underwent an MRI scan as the injury's full seriousness began to emerge.
He would have been a pivotal member of the England side for next month's Tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia, and was likely to have been appointed vice-captain to new skipper Jonny Wilkinson.
Robinson must now plan ahead without the services of a truly world-class player, not only for the November games but the entire 2005 RBS Six Nations Championship.
"Richard is an outstanding player for both his club and country, and our thoughts are with him. We all wish him a speedy recovery," said Robinson.
With the 31-year-old sidelined, Robinson must find a back-row alternative.
The obvious answer at openside flanker is Leicester's Lewis Moody, though he has only just started his comeback in Tigers' second team following 10 months out recovering from a serious foot problem.
Robinson might be tempted to go for Worcester's Pat Sanderson, who is one of the Premiership's form players, though it is more than three years since he last appeared in England colours.
The entire back-row combination will give Robinson plenty of food for thought, given Hill's massive setback and the post-World Cup retirements from international rugby of Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back.
Between them, the revered trio of World Cup heroes won more than 200 caps, and their combined absence provides a clear example of the challenge facing Robinson and his team as they look to rediscover the winning habit following five defeats from eight starts so far this year.
