Alex Mitchell out of Nations Championship opener in fresh England injury blow

England scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of Sunday's Nations Championship opener against Australia after suffering a hamstring injury playing for Northampton on Saturday. With Mitchell's clubmate Archie McParland also sidelined due to a calf injury, head coach Steve Borthwick has called Harry Randall and Ben Spencer into the squad. Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet is widely expected to start at No 9 against the Wallabies.

Borthwick named a 36-man squad gathering at Pennyhill Park ahead of matches against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Elsewhere, hooker Kepu Tuipulotu was replaced by Theo Dan due to injury, while Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Fin Smith were included despite recent fitness concerns. Scotland also suffered injury setbacks, losing Jamie Ritchie and Elliot Millar Mills for November.