Six Nations: Recovery no guarantee for Wood to keep starting place for battle against Wales

England's Tom Wood. Picture Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Wood sustained a shoulder injury in the 19-16 victory over France, departing Twickenham with his arm in a sling and unable to train with the squad since.

The 30-year-old is expected to take a full part in today’s session, but could be demoted to the bench following an ineffective display against Guy Noves’s men.

“Tom’s hurt his shoulder and is in modified training to protect him, but he’s still up for selection this weekend,” defence coach Paul Gustard said.

Dropping Wood would expose a rookie back row stripped of the injured Chris Robshaw and Billy Vunipola to a daunting encounter at the Principality Stadium.

Jack Clifford is the likely choice to replace the Northampton captain at openside, joining Maro Itoje and Nathan Hughes in a loose trio that possess only four Test starts in the positions between them.

Wales, however, could field Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Tony Faletau who hold a combined total of 147 back row starts.

“We’ve got a few options. Whichever back row we go for in the end will be competitive and we think will be the right 23 for Wales,” added Gustard.

England will name their starting XV later this morning.