England’s Six Nations injury woes build as Borthwick bemoans club delays

England's Ollie Lawrence applauds the fans following the Rugby World Cup 2023 bronze final match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France.

England’s Six Nations preparations have been disrupted by an untimely injury to the Bath centre Ollie Lawrence which will force a rethink of their midfield plans for next week’s opening game with Italy. Luke Cowan-Dickie and Oscar Beard are also now sidelined, with the head coach, Steve Borthwick, suggesting some Premiership clubs were slow to update him about the fitness of certain players.

The uncapped Bath pair of Max Ojomoh and Will Muir, and Newcastle’s Jamie Blamire, have been added to the squad who have headed out to train in Spain before the side’s tournament opener in Rome. The loss of the in-form Lawrence is a particularly big blow, however, as he was earmarked for a key starting role against the Azzurri.