England coach Graham Rowntree has admitted that the team will receive a boost if Courtney Lawes makes his return to the side against Scotland at the weekend.

An ankle injury has forced the 26-year-old to miss the first three Six Nations fixtures, and Rowntree expects the Northampton lock to make a big impact in the Calcutta Cup if Stuart Lancaster hands him a recall when the team is announced on Wednesday.

"Courtney is a special player. He's really maturing as a player and as a person. You can't hide what he can bring to us physically," the forwards coach told reporters.

"I've watched his last two games for Northampton and he's played well. He's played exceptionally well for us over the last year and he's back to his best.

"We all know what he can do carrying-wise, athletically in defence and at line-out time, but I'm not worried about his lack of work-rate or having to balance him up."

Reports have suggested that George Kruis is the man who could drop out of the side if Lawes returns.