Megan Jones has been ruled out of England’s September internationals and the WXV tournament after sustaining a “significant ankle injury” which requires surgery.
The 27-year-old centre represented Team GB at this summer’s Paris Olympics in the women’s rugby sevens, where they finished seventh.
England are set to play France on 7 September at Kingsholm Stadium and New Zealand at Twickenham a week later, before heading to Canada to start their WXV campaign against the USA on 29 September.
Head coach John Mitchell said it was “upsetting” for his side to lose a player of Jones’ “personality, capability and leadership”.
He added: “We wish Meg well for her recovery and look forward to having her back in the squad ahead of next year’s Six Nations.”
World Rugby launched the WXV in 2023, which this year runs from 27 September to 13 October, with the three-tier competition aiming to offer consistent annual fixtures for sides outside World Cup years.
England are in division one along with home nation Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.