LONDON (AP) — Flanker Courtney Lawes has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations by a chest injury in a setback to England's title defense.

Lawes hurt a pectoral muscle in training on Wednesday and was a late change to the starting XV facing Wales on Saturday in Cardiff.

He will also miss matches against France and Ireland.

“We're waiting for more detail on the injury, but Courtney had a bit of a fall and he tweaked his pec,” attack coach Simon Amor said. “It's very disappointing. We'll look at a replacement after this Wales game.”

It is a bitter blow to Lawes, who recovered from ankle surgery that forced him to miss the entire autumn campaign to regain his place in England’s starting XV for the Six Nations.

Having been picked as a replacement for the opening round loss to Scotland, the 32-year-old veteran forward was promoted to the back row against Italy two weeks ago for his 87th cap.

Lawes is England’s third back row casualty of the Six Nations with Jack Willis missing the rest of the season because of a left knee injury and Sam Underhill unable to take part so far due to a hip problem.

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