Six Nations
Lawes injury set to hamper England
ESPNscrum Staff
March 1, 2012
Courtney Lawes shelters from the cold during Northampton training Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, January 5, 2011
Courtney Lawes could miss the rest of the Six Nations © Getty Images
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England could lose Courtney Lawes for the remainder of the Six Nations due to a shin injury.

The lock - who was released to Northampton for club duty this weekend - has been ordered to rest as he has "painful inflammation of his right tibia".

The 23-year-old came off the bench in England's loss to Wales last weekend, with that cameo - during which he conceded the game-changing turnover to Scott Williams - now seemingly set to be his only contribution. He missed earlier games against Scotland and Italy due to a knee problem.

"It's unfortunate for Courtney as he had just really got back into training with us," England boss Stuart Lancaster said. "But we have to listen to expert medical opinion and if that means he has to keep the weight off his right leg to help him recover then we have to respect that and work with Saints to manage his recovery."

Calum Clark, Paul Doran-Jones and Phil Dowson have also been released for Northampton's meeting with Saracens this weekend, while Joe Marler, Jordan Turner-Hall and Mike Brown will boost Harlequins.

England No.8 Ben Morgan has been ruled out of the Scarlets' RaboDirect PRO12 game against Connacht on Friday by a calf strain. Lancaster was forced to release Morgan back to the Scarlets against his wishes due to International Rugby Board (IRB) regulations.

Owen Farrell, who missed training on Wednesday through illness, was involved in Thursday's sessions at Loughborough but Chris Ashton sat it out as he recovered from sickness.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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