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Alex Mitchell injury rules scrum-half out of England's Nations Championship

The Northampton scrum-half will miss the Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand and the finals weekend of 27-29 November after a fourth hamstring injury this year.

Follow-up to England squad vs Australia: Spencer and Randall replace Mitchell

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
A dejected rugby player in a green and black striped kit sits on a treatment table with an ice pack strapped to his thigh, a crutch.
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England scrum-half Alex Mitchell is out of the whole of their Nations Championship campaign, after a scan confirmed a hamstring injury on Monday 2 November 2026. It is his fourth hamstring injury of the year.

Mitchell was hurt playing for Northampton in their 28-14 Premiership win over Gloucester. He will miss the matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as the finals weekend on 27-29 November 2026.

Ben Spencer and Harry Randall were called in as scrum-half options on Monday, as covered in our earlier England squad story. Jack van Poortvliet is likely to start at scrum-half, with Spencer or Randall as cover.

Tommy Freeman said: "You don't want to see your mate and a player who is a massive part of this group out."

Fin Smith in a race for Australia

England have another selection worry at fly-half. Fin Smith has a calf problem and is racing to be fit for the game against Australia on Sunday 8 November 2026. Steve Borthwick will give him until Wednesday 4 November to prove his fitness, with George Ford and Marcus Smith on standby.

BBC Sport reported that Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry did modified training but are expected to be fit for selection. Borthwick will name his side to face Australia on Friday 6 November 2026.

Sources

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