Ludlam out and Launchbury in for England's Rome trip

England flanker Lewis Ludlam has been ruled out of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations match against Italy due to a rib injury.

Head coach Eddie Jones expects Ludlam to recover in time for the visit of Wales to Twickenham on 26 February after sustaining the injury in the Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland on Saturday.

Veteran second row Joe Launchbury has been called into the squad as cover after overcoming a knee injury.

The 30-year-old hasn't played for England since December 2020, but has impressed for Wasps recently on his return from injury.

"He's a good Test lock," said Jones.

"He’s an outstanding mauler. He’s a guy that is tough around the one-pass play around the ruck and he brings a lot of experience, which is something we don’t have a lot of."

England are hopeful Courtney Lawes can also recover in time to play Italy this weekend.

Lawes missed the Murrayfield trip due to concussion, and continues to follow the return to play protocols.

The versatile Northampton Saints forward had been due to captain England in the absence of Owen Farrell, with Tom Curry taking that honour for the opener in Scotland.

Jones has opted against recalling Manu Tuilagi however.

The Sale centre made his return from a hamstring injury in their Premiership win against Harlequins on Sunday, but will not be drafted into the squad for England's Round 2 trip to Italy, with Jones instead monitoring his progress ahead of a possible return in Round 3.

Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1.

Watch live TV coverage of Wales v Scotland (Saturday 12 February, 2.15pm) on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.