Johnson facing three months out

Published: Wednesday, 23. January, 2013 in category Six Nations
Tom Johnson: Facing a spell on the sidelines

Head coach Stuart Lancaster announced at Wednesday's tournament launch that Johnson is facing three months on the sidelines.

Loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero will miss England's first two fixtures, against Scotland and Ireland, after undergoing a procedure to clean out his troublesome knee.

And England will also be without Freddie Burns for at least the Scotland game on February 2, with the Gloucester fly-half expected to be out for two to three weeks with knee ligament damage.

Lancaster added that it was "too early to tell" whether Manu Tuilagi will have recovered from an ankle injury in time for the tournament opener at Twickenham.England Hoody

In more positive injury news, full-back Alex Goode has overcome a shoulder problem and will play for Saracens against Cardiff Blues in the LV= Cup this weekend.