England has suffered a big blow ahead of their Nations Championship clash with Australia, with gun halfback Alex Mitchell ruled out with injury.
British and Irish Lions No.9 Mitchell damaged his hamstring playing for the Northampton Saints at the weekend.
Alex Mitchell of England breaks through the tackles of Nick Frost and Tane Edmed. Getty
England coach Steve Borthwick instead named Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Spencer and Harry Randall in his 36-man squad that will also take on Japan and New Zealand this month.
In better news for Borthwick, first-choice No.10 Fin Smith was included despite missing last week’s training camp.
George Ford and Marcus Smith provide experienced options should he not be risked for Monday’s (AEDT) highly anticipated Test at Twickenham.
“These fixtures take on added significance this Autumn as they represent our final opportunity to face Southern Hemisphere opposition before next year’s Rugby World Cup,” Borthwick said.
“Facing Australia next Sunday (London time) is an exciting challenge. They have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months, and we know the quality and experience they will bring.”
England is ranked fifth in the world with Australia seventh.
Former England captain Brian Moore opined in The Telegraph that Borthwick faced an “unwelcome dilemma.”
“I doubt whether it is in their interests to match Australia’s high-paced, high-risk rugby,” Moore wrote.
“The Aussies have been rebuilding from a low point, and they have shown that they are capable of outstanding performances, like their recent win over South Africa.
“On the other hand, they lack consistency and discipline and perhaps the more telling parallel between the two sides is how porous their defences have been. They are both conceding something like 30 points per game.
“Noting the above, Borthwick and England must look to restrict Australia to below 20 points… what is called for is control of their set-pieces, with Ellis Genge starting and England’s best runners, like Tommy Freeman, being regularly involved and asking questions of Aussie backs like Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the attack against the All Blacks. Getty Images
“Making them tackle and getting them at the bottom of rucks means they spend less time carrying the ball and being creative.”
England squad
Maro Itoje (c), Fin Baxter, Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Greg Fisilau, Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Emmanuel Iyogun, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Pearson, Henry Pollock, Will Stuart, Seb Atkinson, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Joe Marchant, Cadan Murley, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
Australia squad
Harry Wilson (c), Allan Alaalatoa, Miles Amatosero, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Massimo De Lutiis, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Tom Lambert, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Kurtley Beale, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Carter Gordon, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter, James Ramm, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Teddy Wilson, Tom Wright
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