{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifgxfarm4xjocufbs4lxe4mfn7776c2udrrojlkurxdezmdgmowry",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfzxtzx6g4a2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreicavvol22xu3g2p234h66kcahw2xlsgkrdp5yta7voi3ymzd4jv4m"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 74141
  },
  "path": "/sport/rugby/england-injury-blow-six-nations-squad-italy",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-01T23:06:51.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Promotion and relegation to be SCRAPPED in radical new announcement as English rugby faces shake-up",
    "Eddie Jones blames Steve Borthwick over England slump after 'uncharacteristic' comment",
    "France's Grand Slam dream still on after classy Italy victory in Six Nations",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nEngland centre Ollie Lawrence has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations encounter against Italy in Rome due to a persistent knee problem.\n\nThe Bath midfielder will undergo rehabilitation at his club rather than travel with the squad to the Stadio Olimpico.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis absence represents a significant setback for Steve Borthwick, given Lawrence only returned to international duty seven days ago during the 42-21 defeat to Ireland at Twickenham.\n\nThe 26-year-old was not included in the 36-man party announced on Sunday evening as England prepare for their penultimate fixture of the championship.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTommy Freeman emerges as the frontrunner to fill the vacancy at outside centre, potentially moving infield from his usual wing position.\n\nHenry Slade of Exeter Chiefs provides an alternative selection for Borthwick as he weighs up his options for the trip to the Italian capital.\n\nThe positional switch for Freeman would see him take on a more central role in England's backline for the crucial fixture.\n\nBoth players were named in the updated RFU squad, giving the head coach flexibility in how he addresses Lawrence's absence ahead of the match at the Stadio Olimpico.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLawrence's knee complaint has plagued his entire Six Nations campaign, forcing him to sit out the opening three rounds of the tournament.\n\nHis return against Ireland last Saturday marked his first appearance of the championship, but the comeback proved short-lived.\n\nDuring the week leading up to the Italy fixture, the centre received an injection on the affected joint in an attempt to manage the problem.\n\nHowever, the treatment has not enabled him to recover sufficiently, with the same injury that sidelined him earlier in the competition now keeping him out of the Rome clash.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Promotion and relegation to be SCRAPPED in radical new announcement as English rugby faces shake-up\n  * Eddie Jones blames Steve Borthwick over England slump after 'uncharacteristic' comment\n  * France's Grand Slam dream still on after classy Italy victory in Six Nations\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBorthwick's side currently sit fourth in the Six Nations standings with two matches remaining in the competition.\n\nEngland opened their campaign with a comfortable victory over Wales before suffering consecutive defeats to Scotland and Ireland, the latter a comprehensive 42-21 loss.\n\nThe team find themselves level on five points with their upcoming opponents, who secured a notable triumph against Scotland before falling to Ireland and France.\n\nLawrence is not the only key absentee troubling England, with scrum-half Alex Mitchell confirmed out for the remainder of the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Ireland match, leaving the field after just 24 minutes.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "England suffer major injury blow as Six Nations squad updated for Italy clash"
}