Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out of the England team for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Wales at Twickenham.
The 46-cap Sale centre has suffered a low-grade hamstring injury, with a scan confirming he will not be available for this weekend’s clash.
Versatile Joe Marchant has been recalled to the squad, but it remains to be seen who will partner Henry Slade in midfield versus Wayne Pivac’s reigning champions.
England say an updated team will be confirmed on match day.
Marchant linked up with Slade against Italy, while Elliot Daly did so in the Six Nations opener versus Scotland at Murrayfield.
Daly, who can cover centre, full-back and wing, was among the replacements in the match-day 23 announced for the meeting with Wales.
The 30-year-old Tuilagi had been due to make his first Test appearance since damaging his hamstring while scoring a try against South Africa in November.
He had been drafted straight into the starting line-up at inside centre after just a couple of outings for Sale.
Head coach Eddie Jones spoke at length today about what Tuilagi would bring to the side in terms of his power and his ability to consistently cross the gain-line.
Now the luckless former Leicester star has been ruled out due to another hamstring injury.
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