NATHAN HUGHES and Courtney Lawes will undergo knee surgery this week after picking up injuries in England’s Six Nations defeat against France, the Rugby Football Union announced today.

Wasps No 8 Hughes is expected to be out for 12 weeks while Northampton lock Lawes is facing 14 weeks of rehabilitation.

England’s final match of the tournament is at Twickenham on Saturday against Ireland, who have already been crowned champions.