Leicester Tigers’ Jordan Crane has been ruled out of the entire Aviva Premiership season after having surgery on a knee injury.
The number eight has suffered from a knee complaint for some time and decided that an operation was the only option.
"It is a blow for Crane, who loves playing and just wants to play. It is tough for him as a 25-year-old to be having a year out of the game," Leicester’s director of rugby Richard Cockerill told the club’s official website.
"He has had an ongoing knee problem and it has got to the point where he can't continue.
"It is clearly not ideal at this point in time with the World Cup on the horizon to lose someone of his playing ability and his leadership ability."
Crane has made three appearances for England.
