"On crutches" - Marcus Smith likely ruled out of Six Nations opener following freak accident

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The 24-year-old Harlequins fly-half is set to undergo a crucial scan on Monday night to assess the extent of his leg injury, casting doubt on his availability for Saturday's opener against Italy in Rome.

Head coach Steve Borthwick, grappling with selection challenges in the absence of key players, now faces added uncertainty over the crucial fly-half position.

With Owen Farrell opting out of the tournament ahead of his move to Racing 92, the absence of Marcus Smith would be a considerable setback for England's plans.

During the World Cup, Smith took on the role of a makeshift full-back in the absence of Farrell. However, with Farrell now unavailable for the Six Nations, Smith had hoped to claim the No. 10 jersey.

“I have heard nothing on what he has done,” Richard Wigglesworth, the England attack coach, said.

“Hopefully very precautionary, the medical staff here are generally like that. I have not been updated on that, since I have been back but if he is not [fit] it would definitely be a blow for us.

“It wasn’t a big incident, that’s why I was hoping it was nothing much.

"He was just jogging, it was never extensive but he pulled up and happened to be right next to a physio when he did it by the sideline, so they just walked off after that. I saw him walk off but when you mentioned crutches, I wasn’t aware of that.”

The situation compounds Borthwick's challenges as the majority of his World Cup backline is already unavailable.

Farrell's decision to step away, along with injuries to Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence, and the unavailability of Joe Marchant and Henry Arundell in France, further compounds the coach's woes.

To add to the complications, Jonny May has retired, leaving England with a depleted and reshuffled backline as they prepare for the tournament in Girona.

With the 2023 Guinness Six Nations kicking off this weekend, here are the five most powerful Six Nations players to watch.

With a reported squat personal best of a staggering 350 kg, Andrew Porter's strength resembles an Olympic standard. Porter smashes the 275kg requirements for an elite-level squat for his size, demonstrating how truly powerful he is for a professional athlete.

The Leinster prop is a fearsome scrummager, capable of winning the ball against the run of play through the sheer force of his driving. Ireland's resident powerhouse lines up in a frightening front row, along with Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher.

A dedicated Dubliner, Porter has made over 100 appearances for his hometown club Leinster, since his debut in 2016.

England have learned experience of the power of Porter, as the prop muscled his way over the line from close range, in the 2020 Six Nations. Porter's international accolades are not limited to just Ireland, as he worked his way onto the 2021 British Lions tour to South Africa.

One of the most recognisable powerhouses to play for England, Manu Tuilagi has re-found his formidable top gear since joining Sale Sharks in 2020.

After a prolonged series of injuries kept Tuilagi on the side-lines, the Samoan-born centre is back once again in an England shirt. Expected to line up in the centre along side Owen Farrell, with Marcus Smith occupying the fly-half spot, Tuilagi has two world-class ball distributors at first and second receiver. The game plan to best utilise Manu is clear, use Smith and Farrell to send the 31-year-old crashing onto hard lines, and breaking the gain-line.

A revered opponent for 14 years in the Premiership. Tuilagi's presence in the Leicester Tigers midfield let to many memorable clashes at Welford Road, and the 2013 Premiership title.

A player who relishes the contact zone, expectations are high for Tuilagi to avoid injuries, ahead of what could be his last appearance at a Rugby World Cup this Autumn.

Scotland's answer to Jonah Lomu. This powerful and pace-filled winger can break tackles with force, or glide around the outside of defenders providing a versatile threat for Scotland.

Moving north of the border and joining Edinburgh, after the dissolvement of Worcester Warriors in October, van der Merwe has settled into life in the Scottish capitol.

Already scoring twice and beating 21 defenders for his new club, the South African born star has taken no time in establishing himself in the United Rugby Championship.

A highlights reel for Worcester, van der Merwe became a fan favourite in his short tenure at Sixways Stadium.

Duhan travelled back to his native South Africa, as part of the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour. A definitive powerful winger, van der Merwe will be lining up with Stuart Hogg and Darcey Graham in the Scottish backfield, which presents an exciting trio.

Toa Halafihi has big shoes to fill, as the next in line to Sergio Parisse's number eight jersey. Taking over at the back of the scrum from Italy's iconic captain, Halafihi is a rightful replacement. Born in New Zealand, Halafihi qualifies to play for Italy through his four year residency at Benetton.

Already a decorated number eight, Halafihi was apart of Benetton's Rainbow Cup triumph over the Bulls in 2021. Halafihi has deceptive quickness for a player of his size, with the agility to step opponents in a phone box. Explosive stutter-steps make him an entertaining ball carrier, with an unpredictability in his attack.

Halafihi can crash through opposing defenders, but may shock some supporters with his slight-footedness. With Italy looking to build on their first Six Nations win in seven years, after the beat Wales in the 2022 campaign, Halafihi will be a key figure in the side.

The likes of Halafihi, Paolo Garbisi and Monty Ioane are filling the 'Azzurri' with optimism, for another upset victory in this year's competition.

One of the latest breakout stars for Exeter Chiefs, Christ Tshiunza has been making a name for himself in Devon. At 6ft 6" tall, and weighing 17.6 stone, Tshiunza is a towering forward, that will be looking to establish himself for Wales.

Head and shoulders above the age group opposition, Wayne Pivac fast-tracked Tshiunza for a Welsh first team debut in the 2021 Autumn International series, against Fiji.

Eligible to play for Wales, England, France or his native Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pivac moved fast to secure Tshiunza's services for Wales. An exciting young talent, Tshiunza strides his way through tackles.

He scored a memorable try for the Chiefs, as he broke through three Harlequins defenders, leaving each man on the turf. He then presented great pace to charge for the line, in the clash back in September.

A versatile forward, able to play as a lock or in the back row, Warren Gatland selected Tshiunza for his Six Nations squad, and will certainly look to utilise the big man throughout the tournament. With Alun Wyn Jones and Taulupe Faletau in camp, the 21-year-old has the perfect mentors to guide him onto the international stage, and eventually take the torch forward from the Wales legends.