Bath and England have lost a 'Test match animal' for the next few months of crucial games for club and country following confirmation from the Premiership side that star flanker Sam Underhill requires surgery on his ankle.

In an official medical update from the club put out alongside the team news for Sunday's 'must-win' game against Clermont in the third pool stage game of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup, Bath confirmed that following consultation with experts this week Underhill will require surgery on the ankle injury he sustained in Sunday's heart-breaking last-minute 35-34 defeat away at Northampton Saints.

That means Underhill will miss Bath's vital games in the Champions Cup and will likely be unavailable for his country for the entire Six Nations, although the club officially said: 'There is no set timeframe on his recovery.'

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England kick off their campaign in Dublin against Ireland on February 1 with Steve Borthwick due to name his squad next week.

Winger Will Muir and flanker Guy Pepper have both begun their rehabilitation process at the club following hamstring injuries sustained against Northampton Saints and are expected to be unavailable for the remainder of January.

Cam Redpath is being monitored week-to-week on a leg injured sustained against Saracens in Round 9 of the Premiership.

More to follow.