Sam Underhill suffered a biceps injury during Bath's 33-17 win against Harlequins and was replaced in the 48th minute. Medical evaluations confirmed a tear that requires surgery, which is set to take place on Thursday. Johann van Graan stated that Underhill will be out for "several months," potentially returning between December and January. As a result, he will miss the November matches against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. This timing is especially unfortunate as Underhill had only recently recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the summer tour. He still has 49 caps remaining before the upcoming matches. Guy Pepper has emerged as a potential replacement for Underhill. The 23-year-old Bath player has started in the last two English matches in July against Fiji and Argentina. In Santiago del Estero, head coach Steve Borthwick paired him with Ollie Chessum at 6 and Ben Earl at 8. Standing 1.90 meters tall and weighing 105 kg, Pepper brings strong activity around the rucks. Tom Curry remains in contention as a replacement. The 28-year-old British and Irish Lion started against South Africa in July before being moved to the bench for the following two matches. Ben Earl appears difficult to displace from number 8, having scored a double during the 31-24 victory against Argentina. Henry Pollock represents the most explosive option. The Northampton player scored three tries in 32 minutes against Fiji after coming on the bench, although he did not earn a starting position the following week. The summer sequence suggests that Borthwick appreciates his ability to accelerate when spaces open up rather than giving him the keys from the start. Chandler Cunningham-South and Greg Fisilau were also part of the September group. The former brings more power to the 6 position, while the latter is less established internationally. Ollie Chessum, used in the back row all summer, allows maintaining a massive profile on the closed side. Without Underhill, the trio of Pepper, Earl, and Chessum constitutes the most natural continuity, with Curry and Pollock as immediate competitors. England loses a specialist in ground combat but retains depth in the position. With Jack Willis remaining out of selection as long as he plays in France, Borthwick retains several credible combinations.