Joe Marler withdraws from England Six Nations squad due to personal reasons

Joe Launchbury has also been ruled out due to a broken leg

Joe Marler (left) and Joe Launchbury (right) have withdrawn from England’s Six Nations squad (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA Images).

England have suffered a setback ahead of their Guinness Six Nations title defence after Joe Launchbury and Joe Marler were forced to withdraw from the squad.

Launchbury has been ruled out by a broken leg with his club Wasps hoping he will recover in time for the final two rounds of the Championship, while Marler has pulled out for personal reasons.