England issue dreary prognosis on both Lawes and Hughes knee injuries

Both Nathan Hughes and Courtney Lawes season's are effectively over as the pair face knee surgery this week.

England Rugby issued the following statement: "Nathan Hughes (Wasps) and Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) will both undergo knee ligament surgery this week following injuries sustained during England’s Six Nations fixture against France.

"Hughes is expected to be out for 12 weeks while Lawes will require 14 weeks of rehabilitation."

It's a major blow for England's pack and for their respective clubs.

Northampton Saints issued the following statement: "Courtney Lawes will undergo surgery this week on a knee injury sustained during England’s Six Nations fixture against France which is expected to require up to 14 weeks of rehabilitation.

"This is of course a huge shame for Courtney, who has had another exceptional season so far," said Saints technical coaching consultant Alan Gaffney.

"But he is in great hands here at Franklin's Gardens, and we know he will be diligent with his rehab and come back fighting fit as soon as is possible."

Yesterday England head coach Eddie Jones retained 29 players ahead of their final NatWest 6 Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham stadium on Saturday 17 March (KO 2.45pm).

A reduced squad will be announced on this evening again.

Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Elliot Daly (Wasps)

Nathan Earle (Saracens)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)

Alex Lozowski (Saracens)

Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins) *

Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)

Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Forwards

Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

James Haskell (Wasps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens)

George Kruis (Saracens)

Joe Launchbury (Wasps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

* Apprentice player