England centre Manu Tuilagi is expected to miss the Six Nations after undergoing surgery on a chest injury.
The 22-year-old tore a pectoral muscle during Leicester Tigers's Aviva Premiership win over Newcastle Falcons in September.
Tuilagi could now return to action in February after initially being ruled out for two months, according to BBC Sport.
England open their 2014 Six Nations campaign against France in Paris on February 1.
Tuilagi recently signed a new long-term contract with English champions Leicester.
