sport news Maro Itoje in race to return for England against Italy as Courtney Lawes is ...

Maro Itoje in race to return for England against Italy as Courtney Lawes is ruled out with calf injury England want to bring Maro Itoje back from injury to face Italy in Six Nations Fellow lock Courtney Lawes is ruled out with calf injury sustained against Wales Eddie Jones insisted Six Nations title was still possible despite Cardiff defeat

By Nik Simon for the Daily Mail and Will Kelleher For The Daily Mail

Published: 22:35 GMT, 24 February 2019 | Updated: 23:55 GMT, 24 February 2019

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England are hoping to rush back Maro Itoje against Italy after Courtney Lawes joined their casualty list.

Lawes was helped off in the 77th minute of Saturday’s defeat by Wales before being sent for MRI scans on his calf which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. But coach Eddie Jones hopes the blow will be softened by the return of Itoje from injury.

‘We’ve lost three of our best forwards and we’ve got to be able to cope with that,’ said Jones.

Maro Itoje may be rushed back for England against Italy after missing two games with injury

‘Maro might be a chance against Italy. I might have to give him the hurry-up, because we’ve potentially lost Courtney.

‘I’ll pick a side to do the job —- that was always going to be the case.’

England’s Grand Slam bid is