Chris Ashton has handed England another injury blow after being ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff with a minor calf strain.

The Sale Sharks flier only made his first Six Nations start since 2013 in the win over France last time out but has now picked up the injury.

Ashton’s absence comes just days after prop Mako Vunipola was ruled out of the rest of the championship with an ankle injury while lock Maro Itoje is still out with a knee issue.

Wales and England have both won their opening two games so far with the Red Rose’s bonus point triumphs over Ireland then France leaving them top of the table two points ahead of Warren Gatland’s men.

Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell could return in Ashton’s place having started the game in Dublin while Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga is also in the 31-strong squad.

Coach Eddie Jones is due to name his team on Thursday.

England squad in full

Forwards: Cole (Leicester Tigers), Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (Sale Sharks), Earl (Saracens), Ewels (Bath Rugby), Genge (Leicester Tigers), George (Saracens), Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Hughes (Wasps), Kruis (Saracens), Launchbury (Wasps), Lawes (Northampton Saints), Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Shields (Wasps), Sinckler (Harlequins), Singleton (Worcester Warriors), B Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs: Brown (Harlequins), Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Daly (Wasps), Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Farrell (Saracens, captain), Ford (Leicester Tigers), May (Leicester Tigers), Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Robson (Wasps), Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Youngs (Leicester Tigers)