England provide mixed injury update that includes Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence

England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth has provided an update on the fitness of star fly-half Marcus Smith, who is currently ruled out of action with a calf problem.

Speaking ahead of the team’s second game of the 2024 Six Nations, against Wales, Wigglesworth had news on several players and praised Smith’s “incredible attitude”.

The Harlequins pivot suffered the injury during a training session at England‘s pre-tournament camp in Girona and could miss all of the side’s Six Nations campaign.

Late in the tournament at best

“It looks like it will be further back in the tournament – if we get him back. It won’t be in the next couple of weeks,” coach Wigglesworth said on Tuesday in a blow for the player.

“Marcus has an incredible attitude. He was gutted but we were gutted as well. We know he’s an international quality player.

“We are blessed in that position because we’ve got George Ford and Fin Smith, but that doesn’t distract from what a top player he is and the impact he potentially would have had.

“His attitude was ‘I’ll just come back better’. I’ve no doubt that if we see him later in the tournament or if it’s after that then he’ll come back in and put his hand up like he did.”

Although it appears unlikely that Smith will feature in this year’s Six Nations, there was more encouraging news on powerful centre Ollie Lawrence, who is nearing a return.

Centre Lawrence sustained a hip injury while playing for Bath against Toulouse on January 21 and it was initially feared that he might miss the entire Championship.

But he could return to England’s Surrey base as early as this week, boosting Steve Borthwick’s options in the 12 jersey he would have worn against Italy in Rome.

Lawrence to miss Wales match

“Ollie is potentially coming in at the end of this week, maybe next week. He’s not available against Wales this weekend,” said Wigglesworth on the hulking centre.

Wigglesworth was also positive over a possible return from a foot problem for loosehead prop Ellis Genge as he could be in action against Wales on Saturday.

“Ellis took some part in training today (Tuesday) and we are hopeful that he’s available for the weekend, but we’ve obviously got to get through the rest of the week,” he said.

Meanwhile, second-row George Martin is receiving treatment for a knee problem and could be available to return for the Scotland fixture at Murrayfield on February 24.

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