Manu Tuilagi is expected to make his long‑awaited England return in their final autumn international against Australia next weekend.
The Leicester centre was expected to play against South Africa in the first match of the autumn, but he suffered a groin injury in training.
Saturday's fixture against 2019 World Cup hosts Japan will come too soon, but defence coach John Mitchell says Tuilagi could face the Wallabies.
England will play Japan at 4am Sunday.
[Source: BBC Sports]
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