England prop Andrew Sheridan will miss Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy through injury.
The double Lions tourist has been forced to withdraw from the England squad after reporting soreness in his back.
No comment has been made on the extent of Sheridan’s injury, although it is not expected to keep him sidelined for the rest of the tournament.
"Sheridan reported soreness in his back following training on Thursday and the decision for him to make way was made after a review by the England medical team this morning," an England spokesman said on Friday.
The Sale star has been replaced in England’s starting line up by uncapped London Irish front rower Alex Corbisiero.
The 23-year-old was due to feature for his club side this weekend but will now pack down at loosehead for his country at Twickenham.
Corbisiero, who was born in New York and has Italian heritage, was added to the wider England training squad as cover on Monday but was then released back to London Irish as Martin Johnson named Sheridan, Dan Cole and David Wilson as the props in his 22-man party to face the Azzurri.
The inexperienced youngster played for the Saxons side against Italy A and Ireland Wolfhounds in each of the last two weekends and has been chosen ahead of Bath’s Wilson, who remains on the bench.
Johnson had previously named an unchanged starting XV from the side that beat Wales 26-19 a week ago, with Leeds flanker Hendrie Fourie replacing Joe Worsley in the only alteration to the matchday 22.
