Steve Borthwick and England will have to cope without one key star for the rest of the Six Nations (Image: Getty)
Lock George Martin has been ruled out of the rest of the with a shoulder injury in another blow to boss .
Martin, 23, who started the games against Ireland and France, missed Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland, when he was named on the bench, with a knee issue.
The fresh shoulder injury has finished his tournament although he is expected to be fit for Leicester within weeks and it should not jeopardise his chances of making the Lions tour.
Assistant coach said: “He’s actually got two injuries – the knee, which has been a niggle for some time, and the shoulder as well. It will be the shoulder that will keep him out of the Six Nations.
“We’ll miss him. In attitude, he’s up there with the best of them with what he brings aggression-wise.”
England started with Ollie Chessum and Maro Itoje as locks against Scotland and also have Ted Hill and Alex Coles, who can play there, in camp.
George Martin (left) has been ruled out of England’s final two matches (Image: Getty)
England’s walking wounder Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Ollie Lawrence are on modified programmes at the moment but are expected to be fit to train fully on Tuesday ahead of next Sunday’s meeting with Italy.
And No.8 Tom Willis is on course to make that date as he goes through return to play concussion protocols.
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Borthwick is already missing George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Sam Underhill who had their tournaments ended before they started by injury and wing Cadan Murley who was sidelined after the Irish opener.
While England prepare to host Italy next time out, Ireland take on France in Dublin while Scotland face Wales.