Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is struggling with a calf pressure that will put him out of England’s Six Nations opener in opposition to Wales on 7 February.

The 23-year-old withdrew from the Saints line-up to face Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday and is awaiting the outcomes of a scan on the damage.

“We’re nonetheless ready to see how lengthy that’s from a scan standpoint,” mentioned Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.

“It is most likely minimal two weeks, however with a muscle damage it is onerous to provide a timeline past that.

“It isn’t months and months and he is not going to be again this weekend, so someplace in between that.”

England tackle Wales in three and a half weeks, with their Six Nations squad set to be named subsequent week.

After the opening spherical of motion, England journey to Scotland on 14 February after which tackle Eire at Twickenham on 21 February earlier than the Six Nations’ relaxation week.

Smith got here off the bench within the opening-round defeat by Eire in final yr’s competitors and was promoted to the beginning XV for the remaining 4 matches of England’s marketing campaign.

Steve Borthwick’s aspect completed second in a vastly encouraging marketing campaign, and Smith received choice for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia over the summer time.

Nonetheless, whereas Smith endured a disappointing time with the Lions, unable to exert strain on Finn Russell for a Take a look at spot, George Ford impressed in England’s Assessments in opposition to Argentina and the US.

Ford was most popular in the course of the autumn, beginning at 10 in victories over Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, whereas Smith, unable to supply Marcus Smith’s versatility, was restricted to a win over Fiji and the fringes of the matchday 23.

“It’s onerous to take,” Smith informed BBC Radio Northampton’s Saints Present in December.

“I’ve completely beloved how good it feels to put on the England 10 shirt; having that taken away from you does harm.”

Frenchman Anthony Belleau, signed from Clermont Auvergne in the summertime, stuffed in for Smith within the defeat by Bordeaux-Begles and has tailored shortly to life with Saints.