England are reeling after captain Sam Burgess withdrew from their upcoming UK Tests to undergo off-season surgery ahead of South Sydney's 2019 NRL campaign.
Just days after Burgess was named skipper of coach Wayne Bennett's 24-strong England squad, the Rabbitohs forward was booked for wrist and shoulder surgery by South Sydney.
Burgess will go under the knife in the coming weeks, so he misses home Tests against France and New Zealand in October and November.
"I'm gutted that I have had to withdraw from these matches as I love playing for my country and it is a great honour," Burgess said in a statement released by South Sydney.
"The reality of the situation is that it's imperative that I get these surgeries done, and with a view to the next three or four years I need to get them done now.
"I'll be watching on from Australia and cheering on England against France and New Zealand and I'm sure the team will do England proud."
While Burgess is unavailable there is still a family connection in the squad through his twin brothers Tom and George.
England open their schedule against France on October 17 before a three-Test series with the Kiwis starts 10 days later.
The absence of Burgess has been compounded by the unavailability of key players Gareth Widdop, Kallum Watkins, Ryan Hall, Ben Currie, Alex Walmsley and James Roby due to injury.
Bennett's squad still boasts nine players who featured in their 2017 Rugby League World Cup final loss to the Kangaroos.
Former Gold Coast Titan Joe Greenwood, Tom Johnstone, Reece Lyne, Luke Thompson and Adam Milner are the five new caps.
