Alex Mitchell ruled out of entire Nations Championship after fourth hamstring injury

Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of the whole of England's Nations Championship after suffering his fourth hamstring injury of the year, having limped out of Northampton's Premiership game with Gloucester last Saturday. England confirmed he will play no part in the matches with Australia, Japan and New Zealand this month.

Mitchell, a 29-year-old scrum-half with 32 England caps, withdrew in the first half of Northampton's 28-14 victory over the Cherry and Whites, and the decision to rule him out had been expected since that injury. The club pivot has already suffered three hamstring injuries during 2026 and now faces a prolonged period on the sidelines for both club and country.

Bath's Ben Spencer and Bristol Bears' Harry Randall were called in as scrum-half options on Monday to cover Mitchell's absence. Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet, who started all three of England's summer Tests, is the likely first-choice nine in the short term.

Northampton scrum-half Archie McParland, 21, who had been named in the initial training squad, has withdrawn with a calf injury. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and flanker Tom Curry both took part in modified training today at England's Bagshot base and are expected to be fit for selection.

Fly-half Fin Smith took a limited part in training as he continues his recovery from a calf problem, and he took part in running drills on arrival in camp. England sources remain optimistic about his chances of being fit for Sunday's showdown with the Wallabies.

England boss Steve Borthwick will name his side to face Australia on Friday.