Injury rules Chris Ashton out of England's Six Nations clash against Wales

England will miss the services of Sale Sharks winger Chris Ashton in the upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales at Principality Stadium following a calf strain.

The 31-year-old has been left out of the 33-man squad with a statement releasing by the Rugby Football Union stating that Ashton has sustained "a minor calf strain" and has been released by the club. He recently made his first start for England in the Six Nations since 2013 during the second round clash against France.

Meanwhile, Mako Vunipola will miss the remainder of the Six Nations Championship with an ankle injury while Maro Itoje is progressing well from a knee injury that forced him to miss the game against France.

Co-captain Dylan Hartley, who missed the start of the tournament has also been ruled out of the weekend's encounter as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Both England and Wales are the only teams to have won both their games and are positioned first and second respectively in the table.

England coach Eddie Jones will announce the matchday squad on Thursday.

England 33-man squad:

Forwards: Cole (Leicester Tigers), Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (Sale Sharks), Earl (Saracens), Ewels (Bath Rugby), Genge (Leicester Tigers), George (Saracens), Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Hughes (Wasps), Kruis (Saracens), Launchbury (Wasps), Lawes (Northampton Saints), Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Shields (Wasps), Sinckler (Harlequins), Singleton (Worcester Warriors), B Vunipola (Saracens), Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs: Brown (Harlequins), Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Daly (Wasps), Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Farrell (Saracens, captain), Ford (Leicester Tigers), May (Leicester Tigers), Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Robson (Wasps), Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers)