Sunday 29 March 2015 17:52, UK
Leicester and England centre Manu Tuilagi is likely to miss the rest of the season with his groin injury, according to Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill.
The 23-year-old is hoping to regain fitness in time for this year's World Cup but is not expected to feature in the Premiership again this term.
"He's improving all the time but it's a long process," said Cockerill. "The likelihood now is he may not play this season.
The likelihood is he will be fit for June and he'll join England for their World Cup camp. Hopefully he'll be involved in the World Cup warm-ups and have a huge say in how England do.
"The likelihood is he will be fit for June and he'll join England for their World Cup camp. Hopefully he'll be involved in the World Cup warm-ups and have a huge say in how England do."
Tuilagi, who has scored 11 tries in his 25 England appearances to date, last played for Stuart Lancaster's side in the 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand last June.
England face two warm-up fixtures against France in August followed by a final preparation game against Ireland on September 5 - and get their World Cup campaign under way against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
