Tindall to miss Six Nations start

England vice-captain Mike Tindall is set to miss the first two matches of the 2005 RBS Six Nations after suffering a stress fracture to his foot.

The 26-year-old Bath centre suffered the foot injury in the Heineken Cup pool match against Leinster at the end of October, and it flared up again during England's November Tests.

Tindall also sustained a bash to his shoulder during Bath's 29-23 Heineken Cup defeat to Treviso last Saturday - an injury that could prove even more troublesome then his foot.

"Mike has been told the foot injury will keep him out of action until the second week in February," Bath coach John Connolly told The Guardian newspaper.

"His shoulder problem will be monitored during that time and his loss will be a big blow for the club and for England."

Tindall's absence means he is likely to miss opening Six Nations matches against Wales on February 5 and France a week later.

He could return in time for England's third match in Ireland on February 27, unless his shoulder problem requires an operation.

"We will just have to wait and see," added Connolly.

"Mike will not be able to do anything for the next four or five weeks because his foot will be in a special boot, and that will give his body time to recover."

Tindall also missed the start of last season's Six Nations with a broken ankle.