Australia-born England coach Eddie Jones’ plans for a successful homecoming suffered a blow with the loss of a key player for the July tour Down Under.

Barnstorming centre Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out of the three-Test series in Australia after undergoing a knee operation, his club Sale Sharks have announced.

Sale described it as “a routine procedure”, but it is another blow for the player during an injury-hit career. The 31-year-old has won only 46 caps since his debut in 2011 and has played just six games for England since the 2019 World Cup.

However, he remains a key element of Jones’ plans as England prepare for next year’s tournament in France.

“Sale Sharks can confirm that Manu Tuilagi has undergone a routine procedure on his knee which will rule the 31-year-old out of this summer’s England tour to Australia,” Sale said in a statement on Thursday.

“The club, in close consultation with England Rugby, have decided that a summer of rest and a full pre-season is the best course of action to ensure Manu is fit and available for Sale Sharks and England during a crucial year for both club and country.”

England are also likely to be without Henry Slade, who finished a disappointing Six Nations campaign as first-choice centre alongside Joe Marchant. Slade announced on social media on Wednesday that he has had an operation on a long-standing shoulder injury.

England face the Wallabies in Perth on 2 July, then meet them in Brisbane seven days later and Sydney on 16 July.

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