WORCESTER Warriors centre Ben Te’o has been ruled out of England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday (4.45pm) through injury.

Te’o sustained a “small side strain” while training with Eddie Jones’ team in Portugal.

The 32-year-old will remain with the camp to continue his rehab but will play no part in the clash in Dublin.

Warriors hooker Jack Singleton will return to Worcester after failing to make the 25-man squad to prepare for this weekend’s encounter.

Scrum coach Neal Hatley said "We have Brad Shields, Joe Cokanasiga and Ben Te’o who are not far away from where we want them to be.

“But in a game of this magnitude we need everyone to be 100 per cent so they will stay with us and continue to rehab.

"The plan is to have them all fit for France.

"Ben suffered a small side strain in training, he is doing his rehab, is not far away, but as I say everyone needs to be fully fit."

Scrum-half Dan Robson is in line for his international debut having been retained in the 25.

Owen Farrell is also included having recovered from a hand injury.

ENGLAND SQUAD:

Forwards: Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Genge, George, Hughes, Itoje, Kruis, Launchbury, Lawes, Sinckler, B Vunipola, M Vunipola, Williams, Wilson.

Backs: Ashton, Brown, Daly, Farrell, Ford, May, Nowell, Robson, Slade, Tuilagi, Youngs.