England’s injury troubles have deepened with lock Courtney Lawes ruled out of Saturday's Test against South Africa due to a back problem.

Lawes left the squad's Portugal training camp last Friday to return home in order to receive specialist treatment.

The British and Irish Lions is suffering from a back problem which was the result of sleeping in a hotel bed that was too small for his two metre frame.

England have 16 players already unavailable for their November internationals against the Springboks, New Zealand and the Wallabies.

Among those sidelined include Billy and Mako Vunipolo, Joe Launchbury, Chris Robshaw, Ben Te'o and Sam Simmonds.

The All Blacks begin their European tour against England at Twickenham on November 11, before taking on Ireland in Dublin a week later, finishing against Italy in Rome on November 25.

[Source: TVNZ]

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