Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of the England squad for the upcoming autumn Tests, dealing a blow to the team’s preparation. The Northampton Saints scrum half has been sidelined due to a neck injury, preventing him from participating in the November fixtures. Additionally, fly half George Ford’s availability for the opening match against New Zealand is uncertain as he continues his rehabilitation from a quad tear suffered while playing in the Premiership.
However, there is some positive news for the squad as Henry Slade is set to make a return after recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent during the summer break. Slade will join the team for a training camp in Spain next week, providing a boost to the backline. The absence of Mitchell has opened up opportunities for other players like Ben Spencer, Harry Randall, and Jack van Poortvliet to compete for the scrum-half position.
Despite Mitchell’s absence, head coach Steve Borthwick has expressed confidence in the squad selected for the Autumn Nations Series. Borthwick highlighted the importance of thorough preparation and building cohesion among the players as they gear up to face tough competition from teams like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan.
The squad announcement saw the inclusion of centre Alex Lozowski, who could potentially earn his first cap since 2018. However, notable omissions from the squad include Tom Willis and Gabriel Ibitoye, while Sale back row Tom Curry has been included despite injury concerns. The upcoming Tests will be crucial for England as they aim to test themselves against some of the best teams in the world.
England’s 36-player squad features a mix of experienced players and promising talents across both the forwards and backs. The team will kick off their autumn campaign against New Zealand on 2 November before taking on Australia, South Africa, and Japan in subsequent matches. As preparations intensify, the focus remains on readiness and cohesion to tackle the challenges ahead in what promises to be a fiercely competitive series.