Joe Launchbury will miss the rest of England’s autumn series after being banned for two weeks for reckless use of the boot during his side’s win against Fiji last weekend. The Wasps lock, one of England’s best players in their opening two November Tests, is set to be replaced by the fit-again George Kruis against Argentina on Saturday.

The moment Launchbury was cited for a reckless kick in a ruck early in the second half which caught the Fiji centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma on the head he was always liable to receive a suspension. The laws have been tightened in this area this season, regardless of intent, and a three-man disciplinary panel duly ruled it should have warranted a red card.

The offence carries a low-end entry point of four weeks but Launchbury’s acceptance of his wrongdoing and previously clean disciplinary record saw the suspension cut to two weeks.

Launchbury, who scored two tries against Fiji, will now miss the games against Argentina and Australia as England seek to extend their 11-match winning run under Eddie Jones.

Kruis’s return, in the circumstances, is perfectly timed, the Saracens forward having not represented his country since the summer tour to Australia. Assuming he is deemed ready by England’s medical staff he is likely to start alongside Northampton’s Courtney Lawes, with either Dave Attwood or his less experienced Bath team-mate Charlie Ewels on the bench. In the absence of Kruis, Maro Itoje and Attwood, Ewels made his Test debut as a second-half replacement against Fiji.