Leicester Tigers and England centre Manu Tuilagi will miss the rest of the season due to a groin injury.
He picked up the injury in October, and Leicester boss Richard Cockerill is hopeful that he will return in time for England's World Cup campaign in September.
"He's improving all the time but it's a long process," Cockerill told BBC Sport.
"The likelihood now is he may not play this season. The likelihood is he will be fit for June and he'll join England for their World Cup camp.
"Hopefully he'll be involved in the World Cup warm-ups and have a huge say in how England do."
England start their World Cup campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
