ENGLAND prop David Wilson has been ruled out of Friday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales, but Dan Cole is available after recovering from his foot injury.

Wilson will miss the Millennium Stadium showdown after conceding defeat in his battle with a neck problem - it is hoped he will be fit to face Italy a week later - and is set to be replaced at tighthead by Cole.

"David Wilson won't be ready for Friday. He's not recovered from the nerve impingement," forwards coach Graham Rowntree said.

Cole has been out since December 27 after spraining a foot in Leicester's 32-30 victory at Sale, but Rowntree insists he will be ready to face Wales in what will be his first England appearance since February.

"We're hoping David will be in the mix for next week, but he's not right at the moment unfortunately," Rowntree said.

"Dan is available and has progressed well. He trained with us all last week. We increased his rehabilitation and he's trained fully for the last four days.

"Dan is a class, proven operator. He's not been out for six months and has not been sat twiddling his thumbs for the last six weeks. We've trained pretty fast and he's slotted in nicely."