England have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of this autumn’s international series with New Zealand, after it emerged key prop George Burgess will miss the entire programme due to injury.

Burgess will undergo hip surgery which will rule him out for four months, and obviously strike him off of having any chance of featuring for Steve McNamara’s side against the top-ranked Test team later this year.

Burgess has been in impressive form for South Sydney again in 2015, after playing a key role in their title-winning side of 12 months ago under the stewardship of Michael Maguire.

McNamara said: “George is devastated. It’s been a tough decision for him but it’s one that he’s had to make because of the nature of the injury.”

“Obviously it’s a blow,” McNamara said. “George is big part of our group but it gives an opportunity for somebody else.

“You never really get to a tournament at the end of the season with every player available, it’s just not going to happen for any national team.

“You are always bracing yourself for something to come along like this. It’s not a devastating injury news for England in my opinion.

“It’s sad news for George and for the team but we move on and we’ll be fine.”