Kruis out of Six Nations with Lions hopes in the balance

George Kruis will miss the remainder of England's Six Nations campaign after it was confirmed he will require an operation on a knee ligament injury.

The forward sustained the problem in training last week and did not feature in the defending champions' narrow win over France at Twickenham on Saturday.

And it was confirmed by England on Sunday that Kruis needs surgery on the problem, ruling him out for a period of up to 12 weeks. He will go under the knife on Tuesday.

Kruis is highly unlikely to play any rugby before Warren Gatland names his British and Irish Lions squad in April.

Prop Mako Vunipola, who has been suffering with a knee ligament injury of his own, will join up with the squad ahead of next weekend's clash with Wales in Cardiff.