Vickery set to win fitness battle

Captain Phil Vickery is set to give injury-ravaged England a timely boost by being declared fit for tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Italy.

Vickery travelled to Rome under a fitness cloud after suffering a calf muscle problem during training.

But the Wasps prop and Newcastle centre Toby Flood, who suffered a slight thigh strain during the 26-19 defeat against Wales last weekend, are on course to play.

England trained in the Rome sunshine earlier today, and head coach Brian Ashton is optimistic he will not be forced into making further changes to a radically-altered starting XV.

Ashton has already lost centre Mike Tindall, wing David Strettle, prop Andrew Sheridan, plus flankers Lewis Moody and Tom Rees for the Stadio Flaminio showdown.

And England took no risks before heading to the Eternal City, with uncapped Bristol prop Jason Hobson and London Irish back Shane Geraghty travelling as respective injury cover for Vickery and Flood.

Ashton said: “Phil did some work, warm-ups and rehab and unless there is a reaction he will play against Italy.

“He was up early today, did some work, then trained with us and there was no reaction.

“He will not play if he feels a reaction in the morning.”

If Vickery fails to make it, then Bath tighthead Matt Stevens will start with Hobson going on the bench and Ashton would have to appoint a new skipper, probably either lock Steve Borthwick or fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Despite the considerable amount of upheaval Ashton has faced during the past week, England will still start as favourites to record their fifth successive Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome.

The contest though, is certain to be a punishing physical encounter up front, and there is no doubt that England know what is coming.

Ashton added: “Italy have done a lot of talking in terms of their front five, and they clearly fancy their chances. We will know, won’t we, when the game starts.

“There is always pressure on an England coach, that is always the way.

“In terms of the Six Nations, do not write us off.

“Yes, we cannot afford to lose another game, but if you remember the first fortnight off the World Cup, we seemed to be struggling and a lot of people outside the camp wrote us off.

“Four weeks later, we were in the final of the tournament.”