England forward Lawes injured again before France test

Tue, Mar 7, 2023
Other News (AP)

LONDON (AP) - England forward Courtney Lawes' bad luck with injuries struck again on Tuesday when he was forced to withdraw his availability for the Six Nations match against France this weekend.

A shoulder complaint was given as the reason.

Lawes came off the bench late when England beat Wales 20-10 in Cardiff two weekends ago, marking his first test in almost a year.

The match was only his fifth of the season because of concussion, neck, glute and calf problems.

Flyhalf Marcus Smith was kept in England's 27-man squad and George Ford omitted, signaling Smith continuing as cover for Owen Farrell from the bench on Saturday at Twickenham. ___

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