England's plans for next month's rugby Tests suffered yet more disruption on Saturday when forwards Julian White and Nick Easter joined an already extensive injury list.

Leicester veteran White became the latest frontrower to be ruled out of the Twickenham encounters against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand after tearing a hamstring in the 18-12 Premiership loss to leaders London Irish.

Meanwhile, No.8 Easter was left on crutches with what appeared to be a hamstring problem after Harlequins' 26-22 win at Worcester.

After a match watched by England manager Martin Johnson, the 2003 World Cup winning captain, Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill said: "Julian has torn his right hamstring and will not be available for international duty."

With England losing players in all positions because of injury, London Irish playmaker Ryan Lamb did his chances of a Test call no harm with a confident all-round display.

"Ryan is only 22, and he is still learning to control a game," said Exiles' coach Toby Booth. "If he continues to do that, however, I am sure England will come to have a look at him."

Veteran prop White's injury came just days after it was confirmed ex-England captain Phil Vickery will miss the fixtures against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand because of a three-month absence due to back surgery.

Fellow prop Andrew Sheridan was already sidelined for at least four months with a dislocated shoulder, placing a question mark against his participation in this season's Six Nations, where England begin their campaign against Wales on February 6.

With hooker Lee Mears already out because of knee ligament damage, Johnson must contemplate a complete revamp of what was an all British and Irish Lions front row.

It now seems as if the former lock is also without two thirds of his probable back row after Easter joined flanker Tom Rees, out for four months with a shoulder injury, on the sidelines.

"It looks like he has a calf muscle injury," said Quins coach John Kingston.

"He is on crutches and it is impossible to say how many weeks he will be off but there is obviously a question mark as to whether he will be available for the autumn internationals.

"He will report to England tomorrow (Sunday) and their medical staff will have to assess the injury."

In Saturday's other Premiership matches, Wasps enjoyed a successful trip to the southwest thrashing Gloucester 35-6, Newcastle beat Bath 27-16 and Northampton edged Sale 21-16.

Easter is the tenth member of Johnson's original elite squad to suffer an injury ahead of the start of England's Test programme, a list that also includes several setbacks behind the scrum with fullback Delon Armitage (shoulder), centre Riki Flutey (shoulder) and outside-half Toby Flood (knee) in line to miss all three matches.

Meanwhile several England possibles including wing Topsy Ojo (knee), No.8 Luke Narraway (back) and stand-off Danny Cipriani (calf) have been sidelined from all the encounters against the southern hemisphere trio.

Johnson has more than a team's worth of players out injured. Fans wondering how he will plug the gaps should have a clearer idea on Monday, when he is due to announce a revised squad.

England open their season against Australia at Twickenham on November 7.

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