Ben Youngs expected to be fit for World Cup

Ben Youngs has undergone keyhole surgery on his left knee but is expected to return in time for the final two of England's World Cup warm-up matches.

The dynamic 21-year-old Leicester scrum-half had the cartilage trimmed from his left knee but his participation in New Zealand this autumn is not in doubt.

A Rugby Football Union statement read: "A full recovery is expected as quickly and as safely as possible under the guidance of the operating surgeon.

"Ben will continue his rehabilitation with the England medics in close consultation with their Leicester Tigers counterparts."

Youngs should return to action in six weeks, making him available for the second of the World Cup tune-up matches against Wales on August 13.

He will also be available to face Ireland in Dublin two weeks later.

Youngs has established himself as England's first-choice scrum-half since making his first Test start last November against New Zealand and has won 12 caps.

Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth and Joe Simpson are his rival scrum-halves in England's initial 45-man World Cup training squad.