England flanker Lewis Ludlam has been ruled out of Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations match against Italy by rib cartilage damage.
Head coach Eddie Jones expects Ludlam to recover in time for the visit of Wales to Twickenham on February 26 after sustaining the injury in the Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland on Saturday.
Veteran second row Joe Launchbury has been called into the squad as cover after overcoming a knee injury.
Jones is backing his young, inexperienced players to become stronger after their painful defeat at Murrayfield.
He said: “The only way you learn is to be tested again but I am sure we’ve got quick learners in the team.
“You only have to look at the development of Marcus Smith since the summer. He has come on leaps and bounds and he’s going to be an outstanding number ten for us.
“Look at the leaps and bounds Freddie Steward (21 years old) has made as a full-back.
“They’ve still got things to improve on but the way their learning curve is going is absolutely outstanding.”
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