Eddie Jones has said that Courtney Lawes has only an “outside chance” of taking on Italy in the Six Nations next Sunday, having missed the defeat to Scotland due to the after-effects of a head injury.
Lawes, who turns 33 this month, is among England’s most experienced players and captained the side twice in the autumn series when Owen Farrell was unavailable. Farrell is out of this Championship with his second ankle injury in quick succession.