White, 36, sustained his injury after only five minutes of a match watched by England manager Martin Johnson, whose injury problems are mounting.

Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill confirmed the bad news concerning White.

Cockerill said: “Julian has torn his right hamstring and will not be available for international duty.

“Harry Ellis is having rehab on his knee and we expect him back between seven and 14 days. But I doubt very much if he'll be involved with England's early autumn games either.”

Irish rugby director Toby Booth has told Ryan Lamb he will play for England soon, after the combination of his goalkicking and incisive passing gave the Exiles the edge against Leicester - and also top spot in the Guinness Premiership for at least 24 hours.

Speaking after the 18-12 win, Booth said: “Ryan is only 22, and he is still learning to control a game. If he continues to do that, however, I am sure England will come to have a look at him.

“Leicester are a top team and the reigning champions. We had to earn the right to this win and I am very proud of the spirit and effort shown by the players.

“Everyone talked about how and why we lost narrowly at home to Llanelli Scarlets here last weekend, but we discussed it in-house and all you can do then is expect a response. We got a fine response.

“Last season we took a series of losing bonus points when we played Leicester, so it is very satisfying to turn that into four winners’ points, and on merit.

“I have some sympathy for England manager Martin Johnson in terms of losing players from his squad to injury. But then he can go elsewhere and find someone else, we club bosses can't.”

While Lamb was voted man of the match, Leicester's Lewis Moody cannot have been far behind.

England manager Johnson was in the 16,199 crowd to watch six of his elite playing squad in action.