Mitchell ruled out for entire autumn as England's injury crisis deepens ahead of Nations Championship

Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of England’s entire autumn campaign after scans confirmed the hamstring injury he sustained during Northampton’s 28-14 Gallagher Premiership victory over Gloucester at the weekend. The British and Irish Lions scrum-half underwent imaging on Monday, with results confirming he will miss all four Tests this month.

It is the fourth hamstring injury Mitchell has suffered in 2026, a damaging blow to a player who had been expected to play a central role against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as in the Nations Championship finals weekend on 27-29 November.

Jack van Poortvliet is likely to step into the number nine jersey in Mitchell’s absence, with Ben Spencer or Harry Randall providing cover from the bench.

England’s half-back concerns do not end there. Mitchell’s Northampton team-mate Fin Smith is in a race against time to be fit for Australia’s visit to Allianz Stadium on Sunday, battling his second calf problem of the year. Head coach Steve Borthwick will give Smith until Wednesday to prove his fitness, with George Ford and Marcus Smith on standby at fly-half.

Another Northampton half-back, Archie McParland, is also managing a calf issue but could return for the Japan or New Zealand fixtures. However, Sam Underhill (biceps), Kepueli Tuipulotu (knee) and Benhard Janse van Rensburg (concussion) have all been ruled out for the entirety of this second phase of the Nations Championship, further stretching Borthwick’s available resources.