Full-back Delon Armitage will miss England's autumn internationals to have surgery on a dislocated shoulder suffered playing for London Irish.
The 25-year-old will have an operation on Monday and is expected to take up to 12 weeks to recover full fitness.
"The exact period of time that Delon will be unavailable cannot be confirmed," added an RFU statement.
A three-month absence will see him miss Tests against Australia (7 November), Argentina (14) and New Zealand (21).
Armitage will also miss at least the first two of London Irish's group games in the Heineken Cup.
The 25-year-old was injured during his side's 40-10 victory over Gloucester in the Premiership on Sunday.
He has become a key player for England since making his debut last November.
An ever-present in England's Six Nations campaign, he earned a nomination for the Player of the Tournament award and came close to a call-up for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
His unavailability for the autumn series is the second blow this week for manager Martin Johnson, who will also be without centre Riki Flutey, who is to undergo shoulder injury.
"Riki and Delon both had excellent international seasons last year and I wish them well with their recovery," said Johnson.
"Injuries happen. We have to get them back playing and look at the next guys in line.
"There are some very good young players in the Saxons group and some good players outside it."
Gloucester's Olly Morgan is the only other specialist full-back in England's elite squad, although Sale's Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto have also featured there in the past.
Ben Foden of Northampton, a member of the second-string Saxons squad, is another contender after a strong start to the season, while Lions wing Ugo Monye has played the first two matches for Harlequins at 15.
With Leicester midfielders Toby Flood, Sam Vesty and Dan Hipkiss also currently on the injured list, Northampton's Shane Geraghty and Harlequins' Jordan Turner-Hall will come into the reckoning as replacements for Flutey at inside centre.
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