Dan Cole: Leicester and England prop out until November

Leicester Tigers and England prop Dan Cole is out of action until November

Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole is an early doubt for England's autumn internationals because he is to undergo surgery on a bulging disc in his neck.

The 27-year-old sustained the injury after February's Six Nations match against Scotland, and was expected to miss around three months.

The Tigers' medical staff had initially hoped rest would solve the problem.

But Cole will be operated on and faces a race to be fit for England's home Test with New Zealand on 8 November.