Launchbury and Marler withdraw

ENGLAND have suffered a setback ahead of their Guinness Six Nations title defence after Joe Launchbury and Joe Marler were forced to withdraw from the squad.

Launchbury has been ruled out by a broken leg with his club Wasps hoping he will recover in time for the final two rounds of the Championship, while Marler has pulled out for personal reasons.

Charlie Ewels and Tom West have filled the vacancies in the squad at lock and prop.

Eddie Jones’ squad is due to meet up at St George’s Park tomorrow to begin preparations for the tournament.

Launchbury’s fibia stress fracture is cruel timing given he had re-established himself in England’s second row last autumn and was set to continue alongside Maro Itoje for the Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday week.

Marler’s withdrawal on unspecified personal grounds stretches England’s resources at loosehead prop.

Mako Vunipola is recovering from an achilles injury and it leaves Ellis Genge as the senior loosehead with the uncapped Beno Obano likely to supply bench cover and West adding a third option in the 28-man squad.