England: Courtney Lawes stays sidelined, others released ahead of Six Nations clash with Italy

Lawrence Nolan

Courtney Lawes is unavailable for England’s Six Nations fixture with Italy as he continues to recover from concussion, according to an RFU statement.

Lawes missed the 20-17 Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland that opened the tournament and has yet to resume full training with Eddie Jones’ squad, ruling him out of Sunday’s trip to Rome.

Hopes

Tom Curry will remain as England captain in Lawes’ absence and that of Owen Farrell and the hope will be that the veteran Northampton forward is passed fit for the visit of Wales to Twickenham on February 26.

“Courtney Lawes is unavailable for selection as he continues working through his return to play protocols,” a Rugby Football Union statement read.

Jones has also released several players back to their clubs, trimming his squad to 27 ahead of the Italy game.

Among those released are Northampton’s George Furbank and the recently-recalled Joe Launchury, but Leicester’s Ollie Chessum has been retained in the reduced 27-man squad that will step up preparations for the Stadio Olimpico showdown and could make his debut on Sunday.

England squad (revised):

Forwards: Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Joe Marler, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart

Backs: Elliot Daly, George Ford, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jack Nowell, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs

READ MORE: England: Danny Cipriani the latest to criticise Eddie Jones after Marcus Smith decision against Scotland

 

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