England: Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Simmonds a doubt for summer Tests

Exeter Chiefs number eight Sam Simmonds is likely to miss England’s upcoming Test series against Australia with a hip injury.

Rob Baxter, the Exeter director of rugby, confirmed that British & Irish Lions back-row Simmonds will require surgery and will be a doubt for the series.

Targeting pre-season

The 27-year-old has been suffering from a persistent hip problem, and the goal is to have him ready for the start of the pre-season.

“Sam will be unlikely to, because he is going to be having an operation,” said Baxter.

“It is a niggly hip injury, which has been causing him pain.

“If he gets this sorted now, it means he can have a good recovery time and a good pre-season.

“It is a huge year for anybody who has got international ambitions next year, with it being World Cup year.”

The news was not all bad as Baxter gave positive updates on England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Jonny Hill, who have all been sidelined through injury.

“Luke has got a good chance of being ready for the end stage of the season, so in all possibility could still tour,” Baxter said.

“As far as we are looking at it, they (Cowan-Dickie and Hill) will be in with England for some rehab so England can have a look at them early next week.

“They are (all) progressing pretty well at the moment.

“The tour is still a little way away – it is over a month before England head off – so they have still got a decent amount of rehab time before those decisions need to be made.”

READ MORE: Eddie Jones names Henry Arundell in 36-man training squad ahead of Barbarians clash