Marcus Smith ruled out of England's Six Nations opener vs Italy due to calf injury
England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield: "Marcus Smith won't make this weekend sadly. It is a calf injury. We got the scan report through but are waiting to understand exactly what that means for us moving forward. He's not fit for this weekend. We're waiting for a second opinion"
Tuesday 30 January 2024 19:53, UK
Marcus Smith has been ruled out of England's opener Six Nations against Italy in Rome due to a calf injury.
Smith departed England's training base in Girona on crutches on Monday, leaving George Ford and the uncapped Fin Smith as fly-half options, with previous captain Owen Farrell having made himself unavailable.
"He [Marcus Smith] won't make this weekend sadly," England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield told media on Tuesday.
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"It is a calf injury. We got the scan report through but we are waiting to understand exactly what that means for us moving forward. He's not fit for this weekend. At the minute, we're waiting for a second opinion on the scan. We will know more then."
England begin their championship campaign against Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off GMT).
Smith is the latest injury blow to hit Steve Borthwick's England camp - they are already without centres Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi, back-row Tom Curry, loosehead Bevan Rodd, lock George Martin, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and wing Anthony Watson.
"[Marcus is] a big loss," Sinfield added. "He's an outstanding guy who I have absolutely loved working with and I have got a really good connection with.
"But what that does is provide opportunities for others. We have said it since I have been working with England that we are blessed with the tens that we have got. Fin Smith's been in camp before, his form has been outstanding for Northampton and he has trained great too.
"Without giving too much away, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out where that might leave us. We have got Fin and George [Ford] who has got 91 caps I think so he has got that experience and a young gun who has been in top, top form. We're still in a very, very good position."
Sinfield, whose England coaching position has changed from defence coach to skills/kicking coach after the announcement he will depart at the end of the season, confirmed the injury occurred early into a training session.
"It was just in training, the early part of the session. Just one of those things," said Sinfield.
"The boys have had two days off recovery and Marcus being the bundle of energy that he is was doing his thing. Unfortunately these things happen. We are gutted for him because he's been amazing to work with and we hope it will not be too long.
"I am not sure on the logistics. I think some of it will depend on what the second opinion says. It would be great if we could keep him with us.
"I think with all our nines and tens, the more time they get to spend together the more those friendships and relationships continue to build. That's really important off the field as it is on the field. It would be great if he stays."
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Sky Sports News' James Cole:
"This is yet another injury setback before the Six Nations has even started for England.
"Marcus Smith was expected to start at fly-half in Rome against Italy on Saturday. He's had this scan on his calf and England are getting a second opinion, but he is also now a major doubt for the game a week on Saturday against Wales at Twickenham.
"It means Steve Borthwick has now lost his entire World Cup midfield. Owen Farrell, captain and fly-half, has taken a long-term break from international rugby. Joe Marchant in the centre is playing in France. Ollie Lawrence, another centre, is injured, as is Manu Tuilagi.
"We're going to be looking at very new-look England team in Rome on Saturday. Just how new-look will depend on who Borthwick chooses to replace Smith at 10. His namesake Fin Smith, a 21-year-old fly-half at Northampton, is favourite to start and has been in scintillating form for the Saints.
"George Ford would be the more experienced option, but there could be a new midfield too because of those centre issues. Fraser Dingwall, another Northampton player, could also be playing alongside Smith and if that were the case, you'd be looking at a very new-look England team."
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