RFU confirm Croft faces lay-off

England will be without Tom Croft for at least their first two RBS 6 Nations fixtures after the injured flanker was ruled out for five to six weeks.

The Leicester Tigers player suffered medial knee ligament damage in his club's 47-8 Heineken Cup win over Viadana on Saturday.

He will therefore miss the clashes against Wales and Italy, and his participation against Ireland at Twickenham on February 27 is also in doubt.

A statement from the Rugby Football Union read: "A scan has confirmed that Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) sustained a grade two medial cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in the Heineken Cup game against Viadana last weekend.

"He has now started his rehabilitation programme with a view to returning to action in five to six weeks.

"The England Team medical staff will continue to work closely with Leicester Tigers during his recovery process."