England's Six Nations title prospects have suffered a serious blow following the news that the tighthead prop Dan Cole will miss the remainder of the championship with a neck problem. Cole has been told he needs a rest from rugby to relieve a trapped nerve caused by a bulging disc.
It is the worst possible development for England as they prepare for Saturday's huge game against Ireland at Twickenham. Cole is the cornerstone of the home pack and his absence gives the England management a huge headache. Cole's understudy, David Wilson, has only just returned from a calf problem and the Bath prop looked short of match fitness at Exeter on Saturday.
The next alternative is Sale's Henry Thomas, who is still learning at the highest level. Given Ireland have a Lions loosehead, Cian Healy, it could change the complexion of this weekend's scrummaging battle. "It's massively disappointing for Dan, Leicester and England," Stuart Lancaster said. "But the important thing is that this has been diagnosed and that Dan gets the appropriate rest and treatment.
"Our medics are working closely with Leicester's to come up with a programme that will ensure Dan returns in the best possible shape. In the meantime it's great to have David Wilson back as well as Henry Thomas, who has trained well and came off the bench against Scotland. This will be an opportunity to develop experience in this area."
Cole, 26, felt discomfort in his neck during a gym session last week at St George's Park, where England were based for a three-day camp. He will undergo further specialist assessment evening and as yet it is unclear when he will be able to resume playing.
It could yet be that he requires a lengthy break, which would rule him out of Leicester's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Clermont Auvergne. "It's very disappointing for us and for England, and obviously for Dan but his long-term fitness is more important," said Leicester's director of rugby, Richard Cockerill. "He'll have time to get over this issue and come back when the medical teams are satisfied with his progress."
Cole's absence this weekend will deprive England of their most reliable prop at a crucial juncture. Cole has missed only one of England's last 45 Tests since his debut in 2010 and was part of the winning Lions squad in Australia last summer, coming off the bench in all three Tests. Wilson has started only one previous Six Nations game, – against Wales four years ago – while the 22-year-old Thomas has yet to start an international, having won all his three caps off the bench.
