Vickery out of Italy clash

Captain Phil Vickery became the latest casualty for injury-ravaged England when he was forced out of this afternoon’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy with a stomach bug.

The Wasps prop appeared to have recovered from a calf muscle strain, and his absence robs head coach Brian Ashton of another seasoned campaigner.

Steve Borthwick will skipper the side in Rome, Matt Stevens will take Vickery’s place in the team at tighthead, while Bristol’s uncapped Jason Hobson moves up to the replacements’ bench.