Abbott, who had been a clear favourite to start at inside centre against Wales in Cardiff on February 5, broke his right leg as Wasps crashed out of Heineken Cup contention yesterday.

The 26-year-old was hurt following a collision with French international flanker Serge Betsen, which compounded a miserable day for Wasps, whose 18-15 defeat against Biarritz ended their reign as European champions.

Abbott, a member of Englands World Cup-winning squad, faces a minimum 10 weeks on the sidelines, ending his RBS 6 Nations hopes.

It is another major blow for England head coach Andy Robinson, given that Abbotts fellow World Cup stars Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood are also nursing injuries.

England vice-captain and Bath centre Tindall will sit out the opening two RBS 6 Nations games against Wales and France because of a stress fracture to his foot, although he could be fit for the appointment with Ireland on February 27.

Harlequins centre Greenwood, however, has recently started a lengthy rehabilitation process after undergoing shoulder surgery, leaving Robinson with a major selection headache.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who had been linked with a move to inside centre for the tournament, is currently out with a knee ligament problem.

It is Wilkinsons third major injury since his drop-goal gave World Cup glory in Sydney 14
months ago, and he is battling to play any part in the RBS 6 Nations this season.

A 42-man England squad will begin three days training with Super League champions Leeds Rhinos in Yorkshire on Monday, and Robinson can only hope that his players avoid further injuries.

Tindall, Greenwood, Abbott, Wilkinson, flanker Richard Hill and number eight Martin Corry are all unavailable for the Wales clash.

Bath goalkicker Olly Barkley would now appear to be favourite for the inside centre berth, especially as Robinson probably will not retain Henry Paul, given that he substituted him after just 26 minutes of Englands last game against Australia in November.

Options for the number 13 jersey are also limited, but the candidates include Leicesters Ollie Smith, together with Jamie Noon and his uncapped Newcastle colleague Mathew Tait.

Robinson could opt to switch full-back and skipper Jason Robinson to outside centre, especially as he started last seasons RBS 6 Nations in that position with great effect, deputising for the injured Tindall.

And Northampton wing Ben Cohen would be another possibility, having been utilised in midfield with a degree of success by his club during the past few weeks.