Danny Care won't be an emergency RWC call-up as he faces an operation at Harlequins

Danny Care won’t be parachuted into the World Cup as an England scrum-half as he faces surgery and has been ruled out of action with Harlequins for the next eight weeks. 

The No9, who had been a regular in Eddie Jones national team until his last appearance in November 2018 versus Japan, sustained an ankle injury during pre-season training with his Premiership club and is unlikely to play until the end of October at the earliest. 

The injury means that Care will miss Harlequins’ Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures in September and early October, as well as the start of the 2019/2020 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season.

Quins boss Paul Gustard said: "We are disappointed to lose Danny for this period. He is a key member of the squad and a real talisman in our attack. 

“Although we won’t be able to utilise Danny’s talents on the field, we will be able to lean heavily on his experience and character off the field in different capacities to ensure he still has a full role to play in the start of our campaign.

“Although we are disappointed and Danny’s injury and imminent surgery means he won’t be able to play at the start of the season, it does gives other members of the squad more opportunity to play. 

“Niall Saunders has been electric and one of our stand-outs in pre-season, Martin Landajo arrives in the next couple of weeks and will prove to be a terrific addition to our squad. Additionally, we have the services of Charlie Mulchrone for the duration of the World Cup period.”

Confirming that Care faces a projected eight-week recovery time, Harlequins also revealed that hooker Elia Elia is carrying a hamstring injury and will also be out of action for six to eight weeks.

Speaking about the Samoan international, Gustard added: “It’s such a shame for Elia to have picked up this injury while on international duty with Samoa. We have high hopes for Elia and the progress he can make. 

“It’s frustrating for him and for the club, but we will work hard on his core skills while he rehabs his hamstring under the guidance of our outstanding medical team.

“We believe Elia can be the best ball carrying hooker in the league if he applies himself and dedicates his mind to improvement. The injury is unfortunate, but it does give us and him the opportunity to move his game forward in other areas.”

WATCH: The Rugby Pod voice their concerns for Ireland and their World Cup campaign after their humbling loss to England at Twickenham