Manu Tuilagi: England centre pulls out of squad for tour of Australia with hamstring injury

Tuilagi sustained the injury in Leicester's Aviva Premiership semi-final defeat at Saracens on Saturday

Tuilagi has been ruled out of the three-Test series against the Wallabies (Getty)

Manu Tuilagi will miss England's tour to Australia next month with a hamstring problem, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

Tuilagi sustained the injury in Leicester's Aviva Premiership semi-final defeat at Saracens on Saturday and, following a scan, has been ruled out of the three-Test series against the Wallabies.

A replacement will be named after Sunday's pre-tour Test against Wales at Twickenham.

"It's bad luck for Manu so close to the tour, but it provides a great opportunity for someone else. We wish Manu all the best and a quick recovery," head coach Eddie Jones said.

Tuilagi's withdrawal is the latest setback for a player whose injury record is beginning to make grim reading.

In January he returned from a 15-month absence due to a groin problem and his comeback since has been interrupted by two separate hamstring complaints and a knee issue.

It is almost two years since he started for England with his only appearance since the 2014 tour to New Zealand a final quarter cameo as a replacement in the RBS 6 Nations victory over Wales in February.

The 25-year-old could at least have expected to provide midfield cover from the bench against the Wallabies and was a potential starter in the series that unfolds over three Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Luther Burrell or Ollie Devoto will fill the newly-created vacancy in England's 32-man squad with both included among the 26 named in preparation for the clash with Wales.

The options at inside centre against Australia now consist of Owen Farrell, Henry Slade and Ben Te'o.

Tuilagi is expected to be out for around six weeks with the hamstring problem (Getty)

However, Farrell might be preferred at fly-half given his stellar form and George Ford's ongoing slump and Slade does not play at 12 for his club Exeter, so uncapped rugby-league convert Te'o may be offered the chance to deputise for Tuilagi.

Worcester-bound Te'o will join up with Jones' squad after appearing in the Guinness PRO12 final for Leinster, where he has earned a fearsome reputation for his power in defence and attack.

One player who will not be present in Australia is Chris Ashton, who was overlooked for the tour in a shock exclusion by Jones and then turned down the chance to travel with the second-string Saxons to South Africa.

Ashton has been in stunning try-scoring form since completing the 10-week ban that forced him to miss England's Grand Slam triumph, crossing 10 times in eight matches, but Jones has said he is not among the best three wings in the country.

Will Carling believes Ashton could be punished for a perceived lack of hunger by seeing his international career ended.

"Think Ashton & Cipriani Saxons selections were to assess character over a tour/ close up - Ashton's refusal could finish his England career," Carling said on Twitter.

PA