England blow for Kruis but Hartley and Care are back

Saracens have announced that their England second-row Geore Kruis has undergone minor surgery on his ankle.
It remains to be seen whether Kruis will be fit in time for the autumn tests as his club have yet to set a date on his return but revealed that he will be back in a number of weeks.
The news will come as a blow to Eddie Jones who was considering moving fellow lock Maro Itoje to the back-row in order to cover a sizable injury list to his pack.
The decision to operate on Kruis was not taken without consideration from England who support the decision.
Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “After consultation with George and England we are in all in agreement that it’s in the best interest of the player to undergo this minor procedure now with the majority of the season still ahead of us.
“George is on the road to recovery and we look forward to his return to action sooner rather than later.”
The injury will also test Saracens resources after Alistair Hargreaves announced his retirement earlier this month and Itoje is likely to be away with England for the whole of November.
England coach Jones did receive some positive news today as his captain Dylan Hartley and scrum-half Danny Care have both recovered from knocks that sidelined them in recent weeks.
The 30-year-old, who has missed the last six weeks with a back injury, will start for Northampton in Castres while Care has put a rib injury behind him and is named on Harlequins‘ bench for their trip to Edinburgh.
ED HUTSON