Alex Corbisiero’s chances to play at the World Cup are getting slimmer after the England prop suffered yet another injury setback.
The Northampton loosehead came off the bench 18 minutes from time in the 19-14 win over France but it was enough for him to suffer a back injury.
As a result he has not been able to train this week and he will not be involved in the second game against the French in Paris on Saturday.
Since staring for the Lions in Australia two years ago, multiple injuries have held him back and he has seen fellow Lion Mako Vunipola and Harlequins captain Joe Marler overtake him in the England pecking order.
Also able to cover tighthead, Corbisiero was expected to get in the 31-man World Cup squad as the fifth prop but Stuart Lancaster revealed he could be forced to leave him out.
“We do still have the Ireland game but unfortunately for Alex the decision about this weekend has ben taken out of my hands and that could have a bearing long term,” said Lancaster.
“Well, not long term, but next week, as he has to be able to train and that’s not for definite.
“I don’t think it is going to be two or three weeks but the clock is ticking and we need to see him train, if not at the end of this week then by next week, and he didn’t train today. I don’t know long sciatic pain takes to settle.
“All I can say on what I have seen in the camp, he has done all the work everyone has done so he has not missed sessions. Clearly some of the front rowers don’t do everything all of the time but he has been great.
“He is certainly pushing both Mako [Vunipola] and [Joe] Marler but we need to make sure we make the right decision because the fifth-choice prop, who can play tighthead and loosehead, has to be robust enough.”