By Fatma Younis
England have lost scrum-half Alex Mitchell for the entire autumn Test series due to a hamstring injury sustained playing for Northampton. The scan on Monday confirmed the British and Irish Lions player will miss all four November Tests.
Mitchell's absence leaves Jack van Poortvliet likely to start at scrum-half, with Ben Spencer or Harry Randall as bench cover. This is Mitchell's fourth hamstring injury in 2026.
Meanwhile, fly-half Fin Smith, also of Northampton, is racing to be fit for the opener against Australia on Sunday. Head coach Steve Borthwick will give Smith until Wednesday to prove his fitness, with George Ford and Marcus Smith on standby.
Smith participated in running drills on Monday but sat out some team sessions on Tuesday. Other injury concerns include Archie McParland (calf), Sam Underhill (biceps), Kepu Tuipulotu (knee), and Benhard Janse van Rensburg (concussion), who will miss the second phase of the Nations Championship.
