Six Nations 2021: Wales v England – Courtney Lawes out for rest of tournament

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Dates: Saturday, 27 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch live coverage on BBC One or BBC iPlayer; listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales or BBC Radio Cymru and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

England forward Courtney Lawes will be unavailable for the rest of the Six Nations because of a pectoral injury.

The 32-year-old missed England’s autumn schedule because of an ankle injury but returned to the starting XV for the side’s Six Nations win against Italy.

“It is very disappointing, but these things happen,” said England attack coach Simon Amor.

Amor added that there were “no clear time-scales” for Lawes’ recovery, and that a replacement would be called up after the Wales game.

Mark Wilson will start at blind-side flanker on Saturday, as he did in England’s opening loss to Scotland, with uncapped 19-year-old George Martin among the replacements.

“He [Lawes] is an experienced player,” Amor continued.

“He brings a line-out threat and great defensive energy. But we have some fantastic players, particularly with Mark Wilson.

“He is one of our work-rate players and brings strength around the breakdown.”

Defending champions England are third in the Six Nations table, while Wales are second and chasing a Triple Crown after victories against Ireland and Scotland.

Jones has ‘single-handedly’ won Wales games – Hill

Exeter lock Jonny Hill is preparing to make his fourth start for England at the weekend and will be playing opposite the much more experienced Alun Wyn Jones.

Jones has 145 Wales caps to his name and made his international debut in June 2006 – three days after Hill’s 12th birthday.

The now 26-year-old England lock said he was “really looking forward” to facing one of the game’s greats.

“I think he has single-handedly won Wales games over the years,” Hill said.

“There are not too many faults in his game, hence why he’s got 150-odd caps.”

England head coach Eddie Jones has warned his players to be wary of the Wales captain, saying he has occasionally “targeted” players.

But Hill – whose girlfriend has played netball for Wales – said he was not concerned.

“That sort of thing doesn’t really faze me,” he explained. “Being the character I am, I just crack on. He can do whatever he wants and I will just keep playing.”