Six Nations Countdown: Pat Sanderson has been ruled out of England's opening three Six Nations games due to a back injury.

The Worcester flanker, England's outstanding forward during their autumn defeat against New Zealand, will miss appointments with Wales, Italy and Scotland.

He was hurt during Worcester's Premiership victory over Bristol on Friday night in his comeback game after being sidelined for more than a month because of back trouble.

Sanderson's absence - he will be sidelined for between four and six weeks - seemingly edges Lawrence Dallaglio nearer an England recall.

Dallaglio, back in the England squad after retiring from Test rugby 17 months ago, is battling for a starting berth against Twickenham visitors Wales next Saturday.

With captain Martin Corry a certainty to start at number eight, England head coach Andy Robinson is set to select his two flankers from Dallaglio, Lewis Moody, Joe Worsley and uncapped Sale Sharks prospect Magnus Lund.

Corry sat out Saturday's Premiership draw with leaders Sale because of a rib problem. But it appears to have been a precautionary move.

Leicester hooker George Chuter is out of the Wales game, having suffered a medial knee ligament sprain, although he was unlikely to have made England's 22 next weekend, given the squad presence of Steve Thompson and Lee Mears.

Dallaglio warmed up for a possible recall by finishing on the losing side as Wasps suffered an emphatic 28-16 defeat against Bath at the Recreation Ground.

He started the game at blindside flanker instead of his usual number eight position - a move which Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan denied was England-based - although Dallaglio switched to number eight before half-time after John Hart departed with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

"I will have to play a bit better than I did (against Bath) if I get picked," said Dallaglio, who has not played for England since June, 2004.

"There are lots of people who think it is a wonderful idea to make a comeback, and there are lots of people who feel it is not right.

"I think rugby is about playing at the highest level, and I still believe I have a lot to offer. I don't know what selection is going to be next weekend, we will have to wait and see.

"I believe I know what it is like to play in the rarified atmosphere of Test rugby and, obviously, every player needs to go up two or three levels from their normal club matches."

The one shining light for Wasps, and potentially England, was the form of centre Stuart Abbott, who proved comfortably his team's biggest attacking threat and is challenging to disrupt the anticipated Test midfield pairing of Mike Tindall and James Simpson-Daniel.

Robinson will announce a revised squad for the Wales game today, probably reducing his group from 36 to 26.