Eddie Jones, the England head coach, is to seek further clarification about the eligibility of Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill following news that James Haskell has been ruled out of the autumn Test series with a foot injury.

Wasps confirmed that Haskell, who was England’s player of the series during the 3-0 victory over Australia last month, had undergone surgery on a toe injury he sustained in the second Test victory in Melbourne.

The 31-year-old, who has flourished under Jones’s regime, will be sidelined for up to six months and will leave a major hole to fill in England’s back row.