England captain Phil Vickery faces a crucial next 48 hours in his bid to be fit for this weekend's Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham.
It has been confirmed that Vickery suffered concussion during Wasps' Guinness Premiership victory over Bristol yesterday, meaning the prop will be the subject of an ongoing medical review during the next 48 hours. Fellow fitness doubt Jonny Wilkinson is due to undergo a scan on his right hamstring later today.
Vickery is currently going through the Rugby Football Union/Premier Rugby "concussion management protocol", and if he is ruled out, then it is likely that Leicester No8 Martin Corry would regain the captaincy he lost to Vickery two months ago. Wilkinson, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring fitness scare ahead of the Ireland match, and he limped off late in Newcastle's defeat against London Irish two days ago. Ashton is due to announce his starting line-up tomorrow morning, although the current injury situation suggests that could now be delayed.
Lock Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, hopes to train on Wednesday as he battles a rib problem, but head coach Brian Ashton has called up three players into the England training squad. Prop Stuart Turner and his Sale Sharks colleague Chris Jones, together with London Irish fly-half Shane Geraghty, will provide "precautionary cover" for Vickery, Borthwick and Wilkinson, respectively.
Elsewhere, centre Andy Farrell is receiving treatment for "acute lower back pain" at England's Bath University training base, and is also doubtful about being fit for Sunday's game. Farrell, who is under pressure to retain his midfield place, missed Saracens' league win against Sale yesterday. A decision on his fitness will be made tomorrow, but England say Farrell's former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league colleague Jason Robinson will train on Tuesday.
Wing Robinson, who has scored three tries during this season's Six Nations tournament, was ruled out of the Ireland Test after suffering a neck injury during training three days before the game. He was replaced by Harlequins rookie David Strettle, another victim of the weekend's domestic action, although his dead leg injury sustained at Leicester is making good progress.
