LONDON - England have called Richard Wigglesworth into their squad to replace the injured Ben Youngs ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales.
Youngs suffered knee ligament damage in Sunday's 46-15 victory over Italy in Rome and is expected to miss England's Twickenham showdown with Wales and possibly the entire tournament.
The Leicester scrum half was missing from the 32-man squad that gathered at England's training base on Monday, with Saracens star Wigglesworth drafted in to provide cover for Danny Care, who is set to start against Wales.
"Saracens scrum half Richard Wigglesworth has been added to the squad following an injury to Ben Youngs, with Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie also coming in," a statement on the English RFU website said.
"Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes will come into camp this week to be assessed on when he is likely to be available to play during the championship."
Care came off the bench against Italy to equal Matt Dawson's record of 77 caps won in the number nine jersey.
"You never want to see a bad injury like that and I was gutted to see Ben in so much pain," Care said after the Italy game.
"First thing's first, he's a good mate as well as a competitor for the shirt. He's in pain and all our thoughts are with him.
"It would be great to get into the number nine shirt for the Wales game having had 70 minutes under my belt which is great because I love being out there with the boys."
Meanwhile, Josh van der Flier has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Ireland's Six Nations win against France, the Irish Rugby Football Union said Monday.
The Leinster flanker sustained a serious knee ligament injury during Saturday's match in Paris and was replaced by his provincial teammate Dan Leavy.
The 24-year-old was filling the considerable vacuum left by injured British and Irish Lions star Sean O'Brien.
Ireland host Italy in their second game of the championship in Dublin on Saturday.
The IRFU added that Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne has rejoined the squad after being left out for the France game, while back-row Jack O'Donoghue and uncapped wing Barry Daly will train with the team during the early part of the week.
Wing Andrew Conway will miss the Italy match to continue his recovery from injury at Munster.
Fly-half Johnny Sexton scored a dramatic late drop goal to earn the Irish a 15-13 victory against France, after the hosts looked to have snatched the win themselves thanks to a dazzling try from wing Teddy Thomas eight minutes from time.