Six Nations: England prop David Wilson out of Wales game

David Wilson has won 41 England caps

Prop David Wilson has been ruled out of England's Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday with a neck injury.

The Bath tight-head joins a growing injury list featuring a dozen players.

Fly-half Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the entire Six Nations with a knee injury, while centres Brad Barritt and Kyle Eastmond and forwards Geoff Parling and Tom Wood are also set to miss the Wales match.

However, Leicester prop Dan Cole is fit and could replace Wilson in Cardiff.

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree said Wilson, 29, had "a nerve impingement issue, and he's not going to be right for this weekend".

He added: "We are hoping he will be in the mix for next week's game against Italy."

Rowntree sounded an optimistic note on the readiness of Cole, who was initially thought to be unavailable for the early part of the tournament.

The 27-year-old has not played for club side Leicester since 27 December because of a foot injury.

"He's ready, he's trained very well," Rowntree said. "I have every faith in him.

"He's been out for six weeks, not six months. I'm happy with his fitness, he's not been sat twiddling his thumbs in that time."

Neither of England's other tight-head options have started a Test.

Newcastle's Kieran Brookes, 24, has won six caps off the bench since making his debut in New Zealand last summer, while Bath's Henry Thomas, 23, has featured seven times as a replacement since his first cap in Argentina in June 2013.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has now suffered six injury withdrawals in recent days.

Farrell, Parling, Barritt, Eastmond and Wood were all injured on club duty during the final round of European Champions Cup pool games.

Lancaster hopes Parling, Barritt and Wood could be in contention for England's second game against Italy, and told BBC Radio 5 live last Thursday that "the clock is definitely ticking" on Eastmond's chances of playing a part against Wales.

Number eight Ben Morgan, second rows Joe Launchbury and Ed Slater, and full-back Ben Foden are also long-term absentees.

Despite the glut of injuries, Lancaster is confident England will be competitive in Cardiff.

He said: "We certainly don't lie awake at night worrying about the injuries we've got and we're confident in the squad we've got."