Stevens was poised to win his 11th England cap on Saturday

It is a recurrence of the problem that forced the 23-year-old Bath forward to miss the 18-12 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh three weeks ago.

His place is taken by Leicester's Julian White, who was originally dropped for the Ireland game in the wake of the 31-6 loss to France.

Perpignan's Perry Freshwater is called up to replace White on the bench.

White was one of six players that were dropped following the loss in Paris, England's worst in the competition for 20 years.

Stevens was due to switch to tight-head with Andrew Sheridan taking the loose-head role.

But White is now due to win his 33rd cap.

"I am disappointed for Matt, but it also gives Julian another opportunity to start," said England coach Andy Robinson.

"Perry has been part of the squad for some time now, and I had no hesitation in bringing him on to the bench."

Meanwhile referee Joel Jutge is also injured so Nigel Whitehouse of Wales will now take charge of the game.

England team to face Ireland at Twickenham:
T Voyce (Wasps); M Cueto (Sale), J Noon (Newcastle), S Abbott (Wasps), B Cohen (Northampton); A Goode (Leicester), H Ellis (Leicester); A Sheridan (Sale), L Mears (Bath), J White (Leicester); S Borthwick (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps); J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester, capt).
Replacements: S Thompson (Northampton), P Freshwater (Perpignan), D Grewcock (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), M Dawson (Wasps), D Walder (Newcastle), M Tindall (Gloucester).