Lewsey Out for Italy Match

The England full-back Josh Lewsey was last night ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy in Rome but the shoulder injury he sustained against Wales is not as serious as first feared and he has not been ruled out of the trip to Scotland at the end of the month.

Lewsey, who had missed only three of England’s previous 35 Tests, injured his left shoulder in the opening minutes at Twickenham on Saturday after clattering into the Wales outside-half Stephen Jones. A scan yesterday revealed he had strained his shoulder joint. "It was reassuring that the scan did not show any structural damage but Josh will not be playing against Italy," said the England head coach Andy Robinson. "He has been reviewed by the England medical team and we wish him well for a speedy recovery."

The wing Mark Cueto, who injured his hip against Wales, was yesterday passed fit for Rome, and Robinson, who will announce his team this afternoon, is unlikely to make any unforced changes after the thumping 47-13 victory over Wales.

England scored six tries against the champions and played with an abandon they had not shown last autumn. "I desperately wanted to stay on against Wales but the shoulder was not right," said Cueto. "It got to the point where I could not lift my arm and I had to go off. I was so disappointed, I could not bring myself to watch until the closing minutes."