Maro Itoje has been ruled out of England’s final Six Nations fixture against Scotland at Twickenham with a knee injury.
Itoje has already left the England camp and returned to English Premiership side Saracens, where he will continue his rehabilitation process.
The 24-year-old hurt his knee in the opening victory against Ireland and aggravated the injury in training for the match against Italy last week.
England coach Eddie Jones will likely continue with the second-row partnership of George Kruis and Joe Launchbury against Scotland, but has called up Gloucester’s Elliott Stooke to his 31-man squad as a potential option on the bench.
Uncapped Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith has also received a call-up, along with Bath centre Jonathan Joseph. England will claim the Six Nations title should they beat Scotland and Wales lose to Ireland in Cardiff.
England’s 31-man squad to face Scotland:
Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nathan Hughes, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Ben Moon, Brad Shields,, Kyle Sinckler, Elliott Stooke, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Backs: Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Ollie Thorley, Ben Te’o, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs.
Photo: EPA/Will Oliver
