Tom Curry has been forced to abort his England comeback due to a leg injury but Courtney Lawes is in line to make his return against Wales on Saturday after being retained in Steve Borthwick’s squad.
In further disappointment for England, however, Manu Tuilagi has been suspended for four weeks, raising questions as to when he will represent his country again.
England are preparing for Saturday’s fixture to go ahead despite the looming threat of strike action from the Wales squad but have been dealt a setback with Curry forced to pull out, having just returned to the fold from a hamstring injury.
His twin brother Ben, who made his first England start against Scotland this month, has been called up to take his place. Tuilagi, meanwhile, has been handed a four-week ban after picking up a red card last weekend in Sale’s defeat by Northampton.