JOE MARLER LOOKS set to miss the start of England’s Six Nations campaign after it was confirmed he suffered a fractured left leg on Saturday.

The prop pulled up during the warm-up ahead of Harlequins’ Premiership meeting with Sale Sharks and the results of an MRI scan were confirmed this morning.

Quins announced that Marler was expected to return in “four or five weeks”, with England’s Six Nations opener against France scheduled for 4 February.

“Harlequins can confirm today that Joe Marler has suffered a fracture to his lower left leg,” a statement read. “He will undergo a period of rehabilitation and is expected to be fit to play again in four to five weeks. We will provide updates on his progress as and when appropriate.”

The injury to the 46-times capped front-rower is a further blow for England head coach Eddie Jones, with the 26-year-old’s fellow prop Mako Vunipola also set to miss the opening of the tournament with a knee problem.

Back-row forward Chris Robshaw (shoulder) has been ruled out of the entire campaign, as has centre Manu Tuilagi (knee) while Billy Vunipola is still recovering from knee surgery.

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