Stuart Lancaster "pretty optimistic" over Brad Barritt, Geoff Parling

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is hopeful that both Brad Barritt and Geoff Parling will be fit for his side's Six Nations clash against Italy.

Both players have knee injuries which are likely to rule them out of the tournament opener against Wales in Cardiff next Friday.

However, Lancaster has revealed that he is "pretty optimistic" that the duo will be available for selection when the Italians visit Twickenham on February 14.

"Geoff and Brad are in pretty good shape. We're pretty optimistic on them. The clock is ticking for the Wales game but I wouldn't rule them out of the Italy game," he told reporters.

Yesterday, there was not such positive news on fly-half Owen Farrell, who has been ruled out of the entire campaign with a medial knee ligament injury.