Man down.

England have been hit with another significant blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup with Anthony Watson forced to withdraw from their squad and miss the showpiece event with a calf injury.

Head coach Steve Borthwick will be without captain Owen Farrell for the opening two games against Argentina and Japan, with number eight Billy Vunipola set to miss the Argentina game – both through suspension.

Watson’s absence now further adds to his woes with Jonny May starting on the wing against Fiji this weekend, despite not being named in Borthwick’s original 33-man squad for France 2023.

Elliot Daly is also struggling with a knee injury following the defeat to Ireland but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup.