Tom Curry has been ruled out of England's remaining summer Tests against Australia due to concussion.
The influential flanker sustained a hefty knock to the head during an early collision during Saturday's tour opener in Perth, which England lost 30-28 despite having a man advantage after Wallabies second row Darcy Swain was sent off for a first-half headbutt on fellow lock Jonny Hill.
Curry failed a head injury assessment (HIA) undertaken at half-time and was replaced by Northampton counterpart Lewis Ludlam.
The Sale Sharks star also suffered a concussion on duty for England during the Six Nations earlier this year and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said his withdrawal from the squad in Australia was "in the interest of player welfare and recovery".
Curry had flown with his team-mates to Brisbane for the critical second Test against Australia, which takes place at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, but will now return home to undergo further assessment and management.
England will have experienced wing Jonny May back for the must-win second Test after he completed a period of isolation following a positive test for Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Australia are sweating on the fitness of veteran playmaker Quade Cooper after he withdrew from Dave Rennie's starting lineup shortly before kick-off in the opener having sustained a calf injury during the warm-up, with Noah Lolesio stepping up to play a critical role at fly-half instead.
Japan-bound Wallabies full-back Tom Banks has undergone surgery after breaking his arm during a sickening landing following an aerial tussle in Perth, while prop Allan Alaalatoa is also set to miss the second Test after failing his own HIA on Saturday.
However, prop Taniela Tupou could return after a calf injury, though Swain faces a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and likely suspension.
