Ashton ruled out of huge Cardiff clash

ENGLAND have been hit by another injury blow for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales after wing Chris Ashton was ruled out of the trip to Cardiff because of a calf injury.

England saw front-row talisman Mako Vunipola forced to withdraw last week from the Principality Stadium showdown with damaged ankle ligaments, while Lions’ lock ace Maro Itoje is also out.

The RFU revealed Ashton, pictured below, would also be missing as coach Eddie Jones named a 33-man squad to prepare for the big clash.

Ashton started the 44-8 crushing of France and scored a try but has since been dogged by the calf problem.

He completed 51 minutes of the Twickenham game before being replaced by Jack Nowell, who is favourite to fill the vacancy for this weekend’s mouth-watering clash of the two unbeaten countries left in the Six Nations.

The Rugby Football Union revealed in a statement the dual code international has a minor calf strain and will receive treatment at his club Sale Sharks.

He is expected to recover in time for the game with Italy in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

The absence of Ashton in Cardiff could pave the way for Bath’s wing wonder Joe Cokanasiga to come on to the England bench as one of Jones’ “finishers.”

The winger, who made his debut for England in November, has not yet featured in the Six Nations but scored a superb try as Bath won 30-13 at the Rec against Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership.

England 33-man squad: Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke CowanDickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Nathan Hughes, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.

Backs: Mike Brown, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Owen Farrell (capt), George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Ollie Thorley, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs.