Stockton-born rugby star Geoff Parling has lost his fitness battle and will miss England’s RBS 6Nations clash with Italy on Saturday.
England forwards coach Graham Rowntree confirmed today that Parling has failed to recover from a knee problem in time to face the Azzurri at Twickenham.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster was planning to retain the same starting XV from the 21-16 win over Wales in Cardoff, and the only change he was contemplated was if Parling would make the bench.
The new Exeter Chiefs lock could have provided specialist cover at the expense of either Nick Easter or Tom Croft if he could prove his fitness today.
But Parling, who started his career with Stockton Rugby Club, will not be fit enough to make the squad - so will instead target a comeback against Ireland on March 1.
It’s another blow for the 31-year-old star, who missed all of England’s autumn series last year due to concussion.
Parling last month ended his six-year stay at Leicester Tigers, twice lifting English rugby’s Premiership title with the Welford Road outfit.
Since leaving Newcastle Falcons in 2009, he has become a key figure in England’s long-term plans and featured in all three Test matches for the Lions against Australia in 2013.
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