Alex Mitchell has been left out of England’s squad for the autumn series with a neck problem that places his involvement in the series in doubt.
Mitchell has not played this season because of an injury that has been treated with an injection and Northampton have been unable to provide a timeframe for his return.
England’s first choice No.9 is now battling to play any part in the fixtures against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan, with his omission from Steve Borthwick’s 36-man squad painting a bleak picture for his involvement.
George Ford is also left out as he battles a thigh issue, but he will remain with the group that departs for a training camp in Girona, Spain on Monday to continue his rehabilitation.
Fraser Dingwall is also missing as he nurses a knee injury and with Henry Slade only just about to return from shoulder surgery, England are stretched at centre ahead of New Zealand’s visit to Allianz Stadium on November 2.
Slade, an influential figure in defence, is present in the squad and Borthwick must decide whether to allow him to play for Exeter ahead of the All Blacks clash to develop match fitness.
Alex Lozowski’s international revival continues with his selection in a second successive squad and the Saracens centre could win his first cap since being axed by Eddie Jones in 2018.
Borthwick, meanwhile, admitted he was “disappointed” by the shock exits of Aled Walters and Felix Jones from his coaching staff this year but backed his new group of assistants.
Head of strength and conditioning Walters departed for a similar role with Ireland in August before Jones, who had been England’s defence coach, handed in his resignation.
The former Munster fullback is providing analysis support from afar as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Borthwick hold him to a 12-month notice period. He has relinquished control of the defence to Joe El-Abd.
Walters is yet to be replaced after Premiership clubs blocked England’s attempt to bring in Phil Morrow of Saracens, fearing a conflict of interest.
The head coach insists he has a strong team in place as England prepare for November Tests against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
“Clearly, Aled making a decision to go and join Ireland was a surprise,” Borthwick said. “He talked about wanting a different challenge. We have worked together for a number of years already – more than four years – and we’ve already done a World Cup with England.
Steve Borthwick, Head Coach of England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Imag
“He made that decision, a very personal decision and I wished him well with it – not against us, clearly! He’s a coach I have a lot of admiration for and we’ve worked together for a long time so I’m disappointed by it.
“It was a few days later that Felix told me, having had the Aled news, that he didn’t want to work with the team and he wanted to move in a different direction. The two of them are close, but it was still disappointing and surprising. I hadn’t anticipated it.
“Felix is a top-quality coach who has added a lot to this team. As ever, it’s professional sport; things change and things move on. To be able to bring Joe in was really pleasing. To be able to do that so quickly, ahead of this Autumn Nations Series, so that we are able to move on with Joe in place already coaching the players – it feels like we are moving forward.”
England squad
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Trevor Davison, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, George Martin, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.
Backs: Elliot Daly, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Lozowski, Luke Northmore, Harry Randall, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet.
