Vickery to miss Italy game

ROME (Reuters) - England captain Phil Vickery will miss Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Sunday (1430 GMT) because of a stomach bug.

"Phil Vickery became unwell with a stomach bug overnight and he has not recovered sufficiently to be available for today's...match," the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on its Web site (www.rfu.com).

The Wasps prop had recovered from a calf injury that had put him in doubt for the game during the week.

Bath prop Matt Stevens will take Vickery's place in the starting line-up, with Jason Hobson coming on to the bench, the RFU said.

Vickery's loss is the latest in a string of injury blows for the World Cup finalists.

England lost centre Mike Tindall (bruised liver), wing David Strettle (foot) and flanker Tom Rees (knee) for the tournament in last week's 26-19 defeat to Wales, while Lewis Moody (Achilles) and Andrew Sheridan (leg abscess) miss the Rome game.

Lock Steve Borthwick will captain the World Cup finalists against Italy.

(Reporting by Paul Virgo, Editing by Clare Fallon))