Kepu Tuipulotu doubtful for England after knee injury

Kepu Tuipulotu is a doubt for England's Nations Championship campaign after suffering a knee injury during national training on Tuesday. He joined Bath in 2024.

The uncapped 21-year-old had been tipped to make his England breakthrough this autumn. Tuipulotu also qualifies for Wales, the country of his birth, and was invited to train with the senior side by then-coach Warren Gatland but opted to focus on England. He signed a contract with Bath until 2028 earlier this year.

It is understood he will not be included in the England squad for the opener with Australia on 8 November, with an exact timeframe on his return unclear.

Scrum-half Archie McParland is also an injury concern and has not been included in the Northampton squad to face Gloucester at the weekend. Fly-half Fin Smith is a major doubt for the Wallabies fixture.

In more positive injury news, Gloucester's Seb Atkinson has been named at inside centre for the Cherry and Whites as he bids to prove his fitness. The report also carries the related headline 'Prep time for Wallabies a challenge - Borthwick' and directs readers to 'Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast'.

England also face Japan and New Zealand next month, before the Nations Championship finals weekend at the end of November.