Tom Palmer has been dropped for England's Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
The lock, who started against both Scotland and Italy, is one of eight players who have been sent back to play for their clubs this weekend.
Geoff Parling is likely to replace him with England expected to make three changes.
And flanker Tom Croft believes Wales need to be wary of an "exceptionally dangerous side".
He said: "The last two weeks we've had time to fix up and make sure everything is running smoothly the way it should be.
"It was always going to be a matter of improving week on week because it was such a new side but things have really come on in the last two weeks and we're confident."
And England forwards coach Graham Rowntree believes the hosts will need to be 10% better in all departments to defeat Wales.
Wales have impressed with Six Nations victories over Ireland and Scotland so far, while England have battled to away wins in Scotland and Italy.
Wales have won only once at Twickenham during the past 25 years - a 26-19 victory during the Grand Slam season of 2008 - but they will arrive at Twickenham as favourites to overcome an inexperienced England side still finding their feet under interim head coach Stuart Lancaster.
And Rowntree has made it clear England have to produce their best performance of the tournament if they are to remain unbeaten.
"Wales play at an intensity, a speed and physicality we haven't played against yet," Rowntree told BBC Sport.
"We've spoken about being 10% better at every component of our game."
A victory for Warren Gatland's World Cup semi-finalists would land them their 20th Triple Crown.
"They are the form team of the championship so far, and they will be coming to Twickenham and fancying their chances," added Rowntree.
"They are a team who are always in it until the last minute of the game, always threatening to break free.
"They pose challenges all over the field from the set-piece to the break-down and with the amount of people in space you have to mark them all the time.
"At our stage of development as a team, it's just the challenge we need."
England have only scored two tries in their two matches so far - both from Charlie Hodgson charge-downs - but Rowntree has seen enough in training to expect a more convincing attacking display against the Welsh.
"There has been a massive improvement in a limited time," he said.
"The next stage is to transfer that on to the field and we are desperate to score more tries.
"We've had two difficult away games but I look at our training and our resolve in the game as being massive improvements and I'm happy with where we're going.
"The prospect of Wales coming to our fortress as favourites is a great challenge for this group."
Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes all remain with the squad and are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances in the 2012 campaign but they are unlikely to be handed starts, after spells out through injury.
The trio are all expected to be named on the bench when interim coach Stuart Lancaster names him starting line-up on Thursday morning.
