England fly-half George Ford will miss the upcoming summer tour of Japan and New Zealand to recover from an achilles injury, the RFU confirmed on Sunday.
Ford helped club side Sale Sharks to reach the Premiership Rugby semifinals, where they were knocked out by Bath, who lost Saturday’s final to Northampton at Twickenham.
The 31-year-old was England coach Steve Borthwick’s first choice option in the No.10 jersey during this year’s Six Nations — starting all five of their games — but will not tour the southern hemisphere in a bid to recover.
“Naturally we’re disappointed that George won’t be with us in Japan and New Zealand, but, following specialist medical advice, and in consultation with George himself, we have decided this is the best course of action,” England head coach Steve Borthwick said.
“George is a big part of the England team and is an excellent professional who I know will rehab diligently to ensure he gets himself right as soon as he can.”
England play in Tokyo on June 22, in what will be former coach Eddie Jones’ first game in his second stint in charge of Japan.
Borthwick’s side will then paly two tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand in Dunedin on July 6 and Auckland on July 13.