Armitage to miss Autumn Tests

Delon Armitage is set to miss England's autumn Test series after being told he requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

The London Irish full-back will go under the knife on Monday and is expected to be out of action for 12 weeks.

That would rule Armitage out of England's three November Tests - against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand - and potentially London Irish's first four Heineken Cup fixtures.

Armitage saw a specialist after suffering the injury in the Exiles' 40-10 Guinness Premiership victory over Gloucester on Sunday.

England manager Martin Johnson will delay naming any replacement for Armitage until the squad next convene on October 25.

Armitage is the second key player Johnson has lost to a shoulder injury in the space of 24 hours, with centre Riki Flutey also requiring surgery.

Johnson gave both players their England debuts in his first game in charge, against the Pacific Islanders last November.

Armitage has played every game since, while Flutey only missed the summer Tests against Argentina because his England form had earned him selection for the British and Irish Lions.

"Riki and Delon both had excellent international seasons last year and I wish them well with their recovery," said Johnson. "The England senior EPS players will meet again on October 25 and a squad will be announced the following day after round six of the Guinness Premiership."

Gloucester's Olly Morgan is the only other specialist full-back in Johnson's senior squad, although he does have options with Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto both having played in the position at international level.