Daly dread for England boss

England’s preparations for the Six Nations have suffered another hammer blow after Elliot Daly was ruled out of the tournament because of a hamstring injury.

The versatile back was expected to make his first international appearance since last year’s Championship having fallen out of favour under Eddie Jones, but his club Saracens have revealed he will need 12 weeks of rehabilitation.

Daly sustained the injury in Saracens’ Heineken Champions Cup defeat by Edinburgh last Sunday. He was set to challenge for a place in England’s back three where he can cover wing and full-back, while also

SKELETON

Matt Weston has been crowned Britain’s first men’s world skeleton champion in 15 years after surging to victory in

St Moritz.

The 25-year-old built on back-toback World Cup wins in Altenberg by winning the season’s showpiece by 1.79 providing an option at outside centre.

The appointment of Steve Borthwick as head coach saw Daly recalled to the Six Nations squad as reward for an explosive start to the 2022-23 campaign.

England are boosted by the return of wings Henry Arundell and Anthony Watson from injury this weekend – the duo are in action for London Irish and Leicester respectively – but playing resources have been depleted up-front.

Hookers Luke CowanDickie and George McGuigan are out of next week’s opener against Scotland, while Jamie George is a doubt because of concussion. Courtney Lawes is battling a calf problem.

seconds over Italy’s Amedeo Bagnis. “It’s an amazing feeling - it’s an absolute dream to be world champion,” he said. “I knew I had a good chance after winning the last two World Cups in Altenberg but to actually come here and make it a reality is incredible.”