Prop crisis as Genge limps out of training

ENGLAND suffered another injury scare involving a prop yesterday, just 48 hours after Mako Vunipola was ruled out of the Guinness Six Nations. Leicester loosehead Ellis Genge, 24 tomorrow, was forced to stand down from training in London as a precautionary measure after experiencing discomfort in an ankle. Genge (right) was likely to be included in England’s match-day 23 against Wales in Cardiff a week tomorrow but now his participation is in doubt. Forwards coach Steve Borthwick said: ‘Ellis Genge reported a sore ankle, so he was withdrawn from training. We don’t think there will be any major consequences but it was the right decision to ensure he didn’t finish training.’ Exeter’s Ben Moon, who made his Test debut in November after a surprise call-up amid an injury crisis, is destined to start in the No 1 shirt in Cardiff. Another Chiefs prop, Alec Hepburn, is likely to be on the bench should Genge not make it. On the loss of Vunipola, Borthwick said: ‘We’ve also got some very good loosehead props in Ben Moon — look at the way he played in November — and Genge, who is also an excellent player.’ Meanwhile, Borthwick revealed injured Saracens lock Maro Itoje is recovering well from a knee injury and is set to return later in the championship. ‘He’s working exceptionally hard and is on track to be back in the latter part of the tournament,’ said Borthwick. ‘He’s progressing well and healing fast. We’re looking at it on a day-by-day basis.’