Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of England’s entire Nations Championship campaign as a result of his latest injury, a serious blow to Steve Borthwick ahead of Sunday’s opener against Australia.
The Northampton scrum-half had already been ruled unavailable for the clash against the Wallabies and a scan on Monday ruled that Mitchell would be available for England’s entire autumn campaign.
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As a result, Jack van Poortvliet is expected to start at fly-half against Australia, with Ben Spencer and Harry Randall battling for a place on the bench. However, for Mitchell, this is the fourth time this year that he has suffered a hamstring injury.
He recovered during the Six Nations, England camp in May – to take his place in Northampton’s squad for the Prem final win against Exeter – and during the trial with Fiji in the summer. Van Poortvliet was England’s starting midfielder for the summer given Mitchell’s lack of game time, but is England’s first-choice No.9 when Northampton Saint are fit and firing.
Borthwick is also awaiting the fitness of Mitchell’s Northampton team-mate and midfielder Finn Smith before naming his side to face Australia. Smith missed Saints’ win against Gloucester last weekend – a match where Mitchell continued his injury – but England are hoping he can recover from a calf problem and take his place.
Already without Borthwick Bath back-rowers Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, the club’s rookie forward Kepu Tuipulotu is also missing with a knee problem. Bristol center Benhard Janse van Rensburg is also out this season after picking up concussion against Northampton.