Northampton scrumhalf Alex Mitchell has been drafted into England's Six Nations squad for Saturday's clash with Italy replacing the injured Willi Heinz, the RFU announced.
Gloucester scrumhalf Heinz, 33, has been ruled out due to a "leg soft tissue injury" the RFU said in a statement Wednesday.
Mitchell will compete with Dan Robson for the role of supporting Ben Youngs, who is expected to win his 100th cap in Rome.
England head coach Eddie Jones is due to announce his starting line-up for the game on Thursday.
England are one of three sides with realistic chances of winning the Six Nations title -- Scotland hold an outside chance.
Ireland top the table with 14 points, a point better off than England and France with Scotland a further three points adrift.
Ireland can seal the title with a bonus-point win over France whilst the French would probably require a similar victory to have a chance of the trophy.
England are odds on to secure a bonus-point win over Italy, who have yet to register a point, while Scotland travel to Wales for their final match.
The tournament was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.