England are facing a back-row dilemma ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Championship after Nick Easter injured his troublesome knee in training and was ruled out of Harlequins' trip to Sale tomorrow night.

England head coach Brian Ashton faces the possibility of being without his three most experienced loose-forwards for the opening game against Wales at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

Easter has not played for Quins this year and Joe Worsley is only in light training after suffering a neck injury, while Lewis Moody is battling a groin problem and has featured just once for Leicester in five weeks.

If all three were to be ruled out - and with Martin Corry and Lawrence Dallaglio both now retired from international rugby - then England's back row to face Wales could comprise of openside flanker Tom Rees, James Haskell at number eight and the uncapped Tom Croft.

All three are dynamic, quick and powerful individuals but as a unit they would boast a mere 10 international appearances between them - eight of the caps belonging to Rees - and an average age of just 22.

England are likely to be up against a Welsh back row of Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas who have won a combined total of 131 caps.

With Easter, Moody and Worsley out Ashton would have to call in a replacement loose forward. Gloucester's Luke Narraway and Bath flanker Michael Lipman are top of the reserve list after both joined England's training session on Monday.

Tomorrow's game at Edgeley Park is significant in its own right with just two points separating Sale, in fifth place, from Harlequins - who are on a dismal run of one win from their last 12.

But Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth also has the chance to steal a late march on Andy Gomarsall in the race to win the England number nine jersey to face Wales.

Injuries to Peter Richards, Shaun Perry and Harry Ellis means it is a straight shoot-out between Gomarsall, the experienced veteran, and Wigglesworth, the uncapped prospect.

Gomarsall has been named on the bench for Quins - and heads north with a price on his head.

"We were having a bit of banter with the Sale boys at England training on Monday and with the chance of injuries and everything I joked: "Gentleman's agreement, boys?'.

"They said: 'No, no, no Gommers. There is a bounty on your head because we want Wiggie to start!' It was all in good humour."

Wigglesworth is not only out to prove he is the future for England, but also the future for Sale following the recent signing of Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel.

As one of England's brightest prospects, Wigglesworth was more than a little put out to discover Peel is moving to Edgeley Park in the summer and he wanted an explanation from Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre.

"I am not going to say I was delighted when the news got announced," Wigglesworth admitted.

"I went into the office and spoke with Philippe about it. He was very positive about me and he sees me as a big part of his plans and I hope that continues.

"This is a huge challenge, he is a British Lion and a quality player, but I back myself to play.

"I will make Dwayne work for every minute he plays in a Sale shirt."

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