England lose Tom Curry to warm-up injury ahead of Italy Six Nations tie

England flanker Tom Curry has been ruled out of the Six Nations clash against Italy after suffering a significant injury during the pre-match warm-up.

The back-row forward required support from two medics to help him down the tunnel at the Stadio Olimpico.

Curry appeared to sustain a leg issue while preparing to start on the openside flank in Rome.

Underhill promoted to start

Sam Underhill has been moved from the bench into the starting XV as a direct replacement.

Chandler Cunningham-South joins the matchday squad to fill the vacancy among the substitutes.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has maintained his strategy of keeping six forwards on the bench for the encounter.

Late disruption

The withdrawal serves as a major blow to England following successive defeats against Scotland and Ireland.

Borthwick had already made an unprecedented nine personnel changes to his starting side, with Underhill’s late inclusion marking a tenth alteration.

Despite the disruption, England hold a formidable record having never lost to Italy in 32 previous meetings.