Monday 11 March 2019 15:44, UK
England second row Maro Itoje has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland because of a knee injury.
Last week Itoje suffered a setback in his recovery from the knee ligament damage he sustained against Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament.
He has now been omitted from a 31-man training squad named for the final-round fixture at Twickenham.
The Rugby Football Union said: "Maro Itoje has returned to his club Saracens to continue rehabilitation."
Head coach Eddie Jones was non-committal when asked about Itoje in the wake of Saturday's 57-14 defeat of Italy, but the second row's Championship is now definitely over, with only 53 minutes played.
It was hoped that Itoje might return to face the Azzurri, only for him to injure the same right knee that was hurt in Dublin during a forwards drill in training a week ago.
Despite their loss to Wales last month, England could still claim the Six Nations title, if they beat Scotland and Ireland win in Cardiff. Jones has intimated that England are particularly keen to beat the Scots after they lost at Murrayfield last season.
With Itoje out, Jones has called up Elliot Stooke, Jonathan Joseph, Jack Nowell, Marcus Smith, Ollie Thorley, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels and Harry Williams to the provisional squad to face Scotland.
Full England squad to face Scotland:
Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nathan Hughes, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Ben Moon, Bard Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Elliot Stooke, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Defence: Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Ollie Thorley, Ben Te'o, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs.
