England suffer Curry and Tuilagi blows but Lawes due to return in Wales clash

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. That will be reduced to three weeks provided he completes World Rugby’s tackling course and would, in theory, make him available for England’s final match of the Six Nations against Ireland. Having fallen out of the first-team picture under Borthwick, however, it is increasingly difficult to see when Tuilagi, who turns 32 in May, will next represent England. Given his popularity among the squad, however, his absence will be keenly felt.

If Tom Curry’s withdrawal is a blow it is softened by Lawes’s expected return. England consider him as an option at both second-row and flanker and he is expected to make a first international appearance since last summer after a season blighted by neck, glute and calf injuries.

“It’s great to have him back,” said Kevin Sinfield, the England defence coach. “Courtney has been around working with us for a couple of weeks now doing his bits behind the