NICK EASTER is expected to captain England in their RBS Six Nations opener against Wales after manager Martin Johnson was dealt another crushing injury blow.

Flanker Lewis Moody, skipper for this season’s autumn Tests, is set to miss the first three Six Nations games because of knee ligament trouble.

Although Johnson has put a brave face on the inspirational Moody’s absence, it follows injuries to fellow forwards Courtney Lawes and Tom Croft.

That means Johnson losing almost half his first-choice pack as England prepare for an assault on Six Nations title glory that has eluded them since 2003.

Moody’s anticipated sixweek absence will sideline him from the appointments with Wales, Italy and France, although he should be available for England’s final two Tests against Scotland on March 13 and Ireland the following weekend.

Northampton lock Lawes, who also has a knee ligament injury, is likely to miss the whole tournament, with Leicester flanker Croft (shoulder) battling to feature from its midway point.

Moody was hurt during his club Bath’s Heineken Cup victory over Italian side Aironi last Saturday, limping off during the second half, with Bath confirming an injury to his medial collateral ligament.

The 32-year-old has won 66 caps and would have been a crucial part of England’s armoury against Wales in Cardiff on February 4.

Harlequins number eight Easter though, is fully capable of taking up the leadership reins. He captained England to victory over Samoa at Twickenham two months ago.

England are set to name an injury replacement for Moody in their squad next Monday.

Contenders are likely to include Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Andy Saull and Phil Dowson, a quartet who were selected last week in the England Saxons group.

Johnson said: “It is always disappointing to lose a player and leader of Lewis’ calibre.

“But as I have consistently said, good teams adapt to injuries, and that is what we intend to do.

“While this could still mean Lewis plays a role in the RBS Six Nations, it does mean that another player gets the chance to step up and make it hard for him to get the shirt back.”

Johnson will announce his captain in the week leading up to the Wales game, with Moody now remaining at Bath for his rehabilitation under close consultation from the England medical team.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan added: “Lewis took a knock to his knee at the weekend which is slightly more serious than first thought.

‘‘We will of course make sure he receives the best medical attention to get him back on the field as, and when, he’s ready.

‘‘It’s very disappointing.

Any injury is unfortunate, but Lewis is pretty positive about things.’’ With Moody and Croft now absent, Johnson’s back-row combination will take on an unexpected look against Wales.

Leeds Carnegie flanker Hendre Fourie would be a strong favourite to wear the number seven shirt, with either Joe Worsley or James Haskell the probable blindside flanker options.