England are set to name an unchanged team for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations meeting with Italy at Twickenham despite the likely return of Brad Barritt, Kyle Eastmond and Geoff Parling.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster is ready to reward the starting XV for their heroics in dispatching Wales 21-16 in Cardiff on Friday night by retaining them en masse against the Azzurri.

The only potential change will come among the replacements, where Geoff Parling could provide specialist lock cover at the expense of Nick Easter or Tom Croft if he proves his fitness by Tuesday.

Parling and Barritt have been out with knee problems and Eastmond a shoulder complaint, but the trio are expected to resume training on Monday. Only Parling is likely to be considered for Italy, however.

"The reality is that a lot of the team did play very well against Wales and I wouldn't envisage too many - if any - changes," said Lancaster, who names his team on Thursday morning.

"Reverting to a specialist second row on the bench is something we are going to have to consider in the next 24 hours.

"We haven't got a definitive answer whether Geoff is going to come through this next training session or Tuesday morning's unit session, but that is one of the options."

England's injury crisis continues to ease, with flanker Tom Wood and lock Courtney Lawes nearing the end of their rehabilitation from ankle problems.

The Northampton forwards are due to resume training in the week leading up to the pivotal showdown with Ireland in Dublin on March 1, although they are unlikely to be involved.

"In an ideal world you would want them to play before then, particularly Courtney who has been out for quite a while now. Tom less so," Lancaster said.

"Tom has played quite a lot of rugby, but Courtney has been out for quite a while. But I don't think them playing will transpire. The way they're progressing is that they'll not play this weekend or next week.

"The first opportunity for them to play - international or club rugby - will be the weekend of the Ireland game. We'll have to take a view on where we are at that point.

"It's fair to say that our second rows Dave Attwood and George Kruis did well, but Geoff obviously comes back into the equation.

"In the back row James Haskell had an excellent performance. Tom Croft is also around, so it will be a difficult selection decision."

A question mark still hangs over prop David Wilson, who is struggling with a neck nerve issue, and the chances of Manu Tuilagi playing in the tournament are fading as he battles a chronic groin injury.

"Manu is making good progress now but he is still some way away from playing club rugby. Having been out for so long, he clearly has to come back and play for Leicester first," Lancaster said.

"We haven't ruled him out by any stretch of the imagination but will have to take it literally one day at a time. He's still not back to full running yet."

Northampton pair Alex Corbisiero and Stephen Myler have been nursing calf injuries, but are expected to return in Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with London Irish.

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