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Martin Johnson will watch this weekend's Guinness Premiership action praying his England squad isn't further reduced ahead of the Test against Australia on 7 November.
With more than a dozen of the 32strong Elite Player Squad hit by injury, the team manager will name on Monday a revised squad for the autumn international series, which will also take in clashes against Argentina and New Zealand.
As the casualty list so long, it is unfortunate that England's rivals for the No7 shirt - Steffon Armitage of London Irish and Leicester's Lewis Moody - go head-to-head at the Madejski tomorrow.
Moody is known as Crazy Horse because of his fearless approach, while Armitage is also willing to endure plenty of heavy hits as he battles for possession at the ruck.
The Exiles man said: "I have to roll with the blows and try to get in and out of the contact situations as quickly as possible. Hopefully, I can steer clear of injury and it's a huge blow to lose so many experienced guys from the England squad.
"I have to do everything I can to stay fit and keep performing, against teams like Leicester. I have a few ideas of what Lewis might do in certain situations and am really looking forward to the challenge."
London Wasps will play Ben Broster at loose-head prop in place of Phil Vickery against Gloucester tomorrow. With Vickery out for at least three moths due to a neck injury, Wasps could make a shortterm signing from the Southern Hemisphere. Joe Worsley, having undergone daily treatment for a neck injury of his own, is expected to start the match.
Captain Will Skinner sits out Harlequins' visit to Worcester with an ankle injury so Nick Easter will lead the team and Neil McMillan will wear the No7 jersey. George Robson has completed his ban for head-butting Wasps' Joe Simpson in the opening game of the season and joins James Percival in the second row.
Leaders Saracens, who are home to Leeds on Sunday, have announced that back-row forward Michael Owen will be out for the rest of the season due to a knee ligament injury suffered against Toulon last week.Director of rugby Brendan Venter said: "Had Michael continued to play on the knee, it could have caused long-term damage."
