Doubts over Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown add to England’s injury crisis

England have now seen 16 players ruled out of the start of their title defence, a number that will climb to 18 if Robshaw and Brown fail to recover.

Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown are doubts for the NatWest 6 Nations opener against Italy as England’s injury concerns continue to escalate.

Robshaw has a back problem and Brown is being troubled by blurred vision, leaving Eddie Jones to rate the Harlequins duo as "borderline" for the trip to Rome on Sunday week.