England will be without flanker Lewis Ludlam for Sunday’s Six Nations meeting with Italy due to a rib injury, while Courtney Lawes remains an “outside chance” for the game due to concussion.
Eddie Jones has called up Joe Launchbury, who has been back playing for Wasps after long-term injury. The 69-cap lock has not played for England for more than a year.
“He’s a good Test lock,” said Jones. “He’s an outstanding mauler. He;’s a guy that is tough around the one pass play around the ruck and he brings a lot of experience, which is something we don’t have a lot of.”
Ludlam performed well at blindside flanker in the defeat to Scotland, but picked up a “rib cartilage” injury and was taken off in the second half. Jones hopes he will be fit to face Wales at the end of this month.
Lawes, meanwhile, must be able to train fully tomorrow to be in contention for Rome. In his and Owen Farrell’s absence, Tom Curry captained England at Murrayfield.
Jones said England were “looking to light up Rome” after the 20-17 defeat to Scotland which ended any Grand Slam hopes on the opening weekend of the tournament.
