England have called up uncapped Bath centre Max Ojomoh as a replacement for the injured Ollie Lawrence ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales.
Lawrence confirmed on Monday that he has been ruled out for the rest of the season after scans on a rupture to his left Achilles suffered during the first half of Sunday's victory over Italy.
Lawrence wrote on social media: "Lost for words… That’s not how I imagined my season to end!
"Extremely grateful to have such an amazing partner, family and friends around me to take on this next chapter. The comeback is always greater than the setback."
His Bath team-mate Ojomoh, son of former England back row Steve, fills the hole created in Steve Borthwick’s 35-man squad squad that is preparing for the climax to the tournament in Cardiff.
The England 'A’ international has appeared in senior squads before but has yet to be capped by Borthwick.
Lawrence sustained his injury as he accelerated to join an attack in the eighth minute of the Allianz Stadium showdown and after collapsing to the floor in pain, he was driven from the field on the medical cart.
England shifted Elliot Daly from full-back to outside centre to plug the gap and the versatile Saracen is an option to start alongside Fraser Dingwall against Wales.
Henry Slade was dropped for the Italy clash and could be restored to the midfield, while rookie Oscar Beard and wing Tommy Freeman are also alternatives for the position.
Wales have also suffered a double blow with wings Tom Rogers and Josh Adams being released from the squad due to injuries.
Rogers suffered a fractured thumb during the 35-29 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield and was forced off after just 10 minutes.
Adams, meanwhile, sustained a hamstring injury in training and has not featured since the opening two Six Nations games.
Wales saw the pair's fellow back-three player Liam Williams ruled out of the tournament after he suffered a knee injury in the competition opener against France.
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt has opted not to call anyone into his squad, with 21-year-old Gloucester wing Josh Hathaway now a potential starter on Saturday.
Sherratt could also consider moving Hathaway’s Gloucester colleague Max Llewellyn from the centre, or pick Joe Roberts – Rogers’ Murrayfield replacement – in a wing role.
But a call-up for three-cap Hathaway seems the most likely option as Wales bid to avoid a 17th successive Test defeat and 11th Six Nations loss on the bounce.
England, in contrast, will arrive at the Principality Stadium as title contenders, although a France victory over Scotland later on Saturday would guarantee Les Bleus Six Nations silverware.
Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins made his Test debut against England in 1991, and eight years later kicked a last-gasp conversion of Scott Gibbs’ try that denied Clive Woodward’s team a Grand Slam at Wembley.
And Jenkins has no doubt where the fixture traditionally lies in terms of its importance to both countries.
"It’s the game that everyone dreams of playing in as a young kid. I certainly did when I was growing up," former Wales fly-half Jenkins said.
"Then I was lucky enough to win my first cap against England in Cardiff in 1991. It’s a massive game, and that never changes, not just for us but for everyone.
"They will be looking forward to coming here because they have got something to play for. But we’ve also got something to play in trying to get that win.
"There is definitely no greater motivation for a Welsh side than playing against an England team going for something."
Wales’ last Test match victory came against 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia, and Warren Gatland departed as head coach following a dismal 22-15 loss to Italy last month.
Sherratt’s three-game stint will come to an end after England’s Cardiff visit, although he has undoubtedly made an impact, instilling a confidence and creativity that was previously lacking.
On the last 18 months, Jenkins added: "It has been tough – a roller-coaster ride. It hasn’t been easy, but you keep your head down, stay professional and work as hard as you can to make the players better.
"I know it is tough when you are not winning and things don’t go your way, but at some point it will turn.
"It would be brilliant if it turned on Saturday, and it would be lovely to perform and win at home, especially against England in front of our own fans."
Watch Italy v Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch France v Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
