Ollie Lawrence doubtful for England's clash against Italy

England centre Ollie Lawrence is a doubt for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy after being left out of the squad preparing for the trip to Rome.

Ollie Lawrence Six Nations Injury Update

Lawrence has not been included in a 36-man training squad ahead of the round four fixture as he continues rehabilitation on a knee injury. The Bath centre recently received an injection to manage the issue but now appears unlikely to feature in the penultimate round of the championship.

The same knee problem sidelined him for the opening three matches of the campaign. He returned to action in England’s recent defeat to Ireland but has not recovered sufficiently to resume full training duties.

England Squad Preparations For Italy Test

With Lawrence unavailable, England are assessing alternatives in the midfield. Tommy Freeman is considered a leading candidate to shift from the wing to outside centre, while Henry Slade also provides an experienced option in the position.

Six Nations Final Rounds Approach

The Italy fixture marks England’s penultimate outing in this year’s Six Nations before concluding their campaign against France.

Lawrence will remain at England’s training base to continue treatment and assessment, with his availability for the final round yet to be determined.

England squad:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Backs: Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)