England coach Clive Woodward faces mounting injury worries ahead of Saturday's Six Nations showdown against Ireland in Dublin after centre Josh Lewsey pulled out with a broken jaw.
Woodward will be forced to rely on Mike Catt and Will Greenwood, both of whom have just recovered from long-term injuries, to spearhead England's midfield.
The England coach is already missing captain Martin Johnson and back row forward Lawrence Dallaglio, and is concerned over the fitness of Martin Corry and Phil Vickery.
England have stumbled at the final hurdle in the Six Nations for the last two years, though they remain favourites for the championship this time.
Ireland must win by a 60-point margin to stop England taking the title.
Lewsey, who impressed on England's close-season tour of Canada and America, was seething over the timing of his injury while playing for his club Wasps at the weekend.
"I can't believe this has happened with the internationals coming up," he said. "I sustained the injury running into Mark Denney's elbow and then received another knock on the head soon after.
"The jaw is quite secure on one side but another knock would have meant I would have to sit around wired up for six weeks. The injury is quite sore and the swelling won't go down for another week." -Reuters