Sam Underhill will miss England’s autumn internationals after rupturing his bicep in Bath’s opening Premiership game against Harlequins. The Sam Underhill bicep injury has already ruled him out of the November fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, with Bath expecting him back no earlier than December.
The flanker was substituted in the 48th minute at The Stoop and now faces surgery this week. It is a cruel blow for a player who started every match of England’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year.
Sam Underhill Ruled Out of England’s Autumn Internationals
Underhill has 51 England caps and was a fixture in Steve Borthwick’s back row throughout the Six Nations. He missed the summer internationals against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina while recovering from shoulder surgery, so this latest setback extends a difficult run of injuries for the 29 year old.
His absence leaves a clear gap in England’s back row options heading into a demanding autumn series. Borthwick will now have to plan without one of his most experienced flankers for all three November tests.
Johann van Graan Confirms Bicep Rupture and Surgery Details
Bath head coach Johann van Graan went straight to Underhill after he was helped off the pitch, sensing the injury was serious. He explained his instinct in the moment.
There’s a few type of injuries where I just want to know straight away because I know the impact that it has longer term and i always feel for the players so that’s why i went straight down,
A scan after the match confirmed the worst fears.
At the time I thought, we need to wait for a scan but, this could be a bicep rupture. The scan turned out to be exactly that.
Van Graan confirmed Underhill will have surgery on Thursday, an operation that rules him out for several months.
He will get operated on Thursday, that’s a few months out of the game – not ideal from Sam’s point of view.
The coach also reflected on the timing, coming so early in the campaign after a full pre-season of work.
It’s always disappointing for every player when you get injured in a warm-up game or round one because you’ve just gone through a very big pre-season, you just get started,
England Selection Blow and Bath Squad Injury Context
The news is a genuine selection headache for Borthwick, who now has to find cover in the back row without one of his most reliable operators. Underhill’s physicality and work rate at the breakdown have been central to England’s pack in recent seasons, as we outlined in our earlier report on the squad ahead of the autumn.
Bath’s injury list stretches well beyond Underhill. Jamie Bhatti is out for months with a broken forearm, Vilikesa Sela is expected to be sidelined until November with a toe injury, and Will Muir has no confirmed return date after shoulder surgery.
There is better news elsewhere at Farleigh House. Ben Spencer and Louie Hennessey are both expected to return to full team training in October, giving Bath a boost as the Premiership season builds momentum.
Expected Return Timeline and Upcoming Rehabilitation Schedule
Van Graan struck an optimistic tone despite the setback, pointing to Underhill’s history of fighting back from serious injuries.
Injuries is part and partial of this game, Sam has had a few big ones, I’m sure he’ll be back as soon as possible and looking forward to welcoming him back whenever that is, whether it’s December or January.
That timeline means Underhill should be available for Bath’s Premiership fixtures in the new year, though no firm return date has been set. Full details of van Graan’s comments were first carried in the BBC Sport report following the Harlequins match.
For now, Bath and England fans will simply have to wait for updates once Thursday’s surgery is complete and rehabilitation begins in earnest.
