England have been hit by the loss of Courtney Lawes for the rest of the Six Nations Championship after the influential forward was ruled out through a chest injury.
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The news on Friday was the worst possible for coach Eddie Jones on the eve of the Cardiff showdown with Wales.
"Unfortunately, Courtney picked up a knock and that means he won't be available for us for the rest of the Six Nations," attack coach Simon Amor said.
Lawes was due to continue at blindside flanker for the title clash at the Principality Stadium but his mishap on the training field on Wednesday means Mark Wilson will start in the six jersey.
It is a bitter blow to Lawes, who battled back from ankle surgery that forced him to miss the entire autumn campaign to regain his place in England's starting XV for the Six Nations.
Having been picked as a replacement for the opening-round defeat by Scotland, the 32-year-old veteran lock and flanker was then promoted to the back row where 87 caps of experience and defensive ferocity will be missed.
"It's very disappointing but these things happen. We'll look at a replacement after this Wales game," Amor said.
Lawes is England's third back row casualty of the Six Nations with Jack Willis missing the rest of the season because of a knee injury and Sam Underhill so far unable to take part due to a hip problem.
Australian Associated Press
