Lawes missed much of last season due to an injury to his right knee, with the current injury problem to his left knee.

But with other natural replacements such as Bath’s Rob Webber and Harlequins’ Joe Gray sidelined as well, Lancaster has been left with a real selection headache.

And Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder’s assessment of the injuries received by Hartley and Lawes will leave the England boss concerned.

"I think Lawes and Hartley are the sort of characters that if they had just got a knock and they will be running around on Monday they wouldn't have come off,” said Mallinder.

“Courtney tried to carry on, but he was unable to do so. You want them on the field and getting through games. It was disappointing they had to go off.”