England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36 player squad for the next phase of the Nations Championship, but the absence of injured scrum half Alex Mitchell has created a major selection issue ahead of Sunday’s clash with Australia at Allianz Stadium.
Mitchell has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Northampton Saints’ 28-14 Premiership victory over Gloucester. He was forced off after just 21 minutes and left the field before heading down the tunnel for treatment, with further assessment required to determine the full extent of the problem.
His absence is a significant setback for England because Mitchell has become one of Borthwick’s most important attacking players.
His speed around the breakdown, ability to increase tempo and instinctive running game have made him a key part of England’s backline structure, particularly when the team wants to move the ball quickly.
With Mitchell unavailable, Borthwick has selected Ben Spencer and Harry Randall alongside Jack van Poortvliet as his scrum half options. Van Poortvliet is expected to be a strong contender to start against Australia, while Spencer and Randall offer contrasting styles from the bench.
Spencer provides experience, tactical control and a strong kicking game, while Randall brings pace and a more instinctive attacking threat around the fringes.
That gives Borthwick flexibility, but replacing Mitchell’s influence will not be straightforward.
England begin the November phase of the Nations Championship against Australia on November 8 before facing Japan on November 14 and New Zealand on November 21. The competition then concludes with the Nations Championship finals weekend from November 27 to 29.
Borthwick has described the upcoming fixtures as particularly important because they represent England’s final opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
That gives every selection greater significance.
The coach is now moving closer to deciding which players are likely to form the core of his World Cup squad, meaning strong performances during November could have a major impact on future selection.
The 36-player group contains 20 forwards and 16 backs, with several familiar names retained.
Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Ben Earl, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock and Ollie Chessum are among the forwards, while the backline includes George Ford, Marcus Smith, Fin Smith, Henry Slade, Freddie Steward and Tommy Freeman.
One of the more encouraging selections is Fin Smith.
The Northampton fly half missed England’s recent training camp but has still been included in the squad, giving Borthwick another valuable option at No 10 alongside Ford and Marcus Smith.
Fin Smith’s availability is important because England’s attacking structure remains one of the biggest areas Borthwick is attempting to refine ahead of the World Cup.
The competition between Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith gives England three very different options.
Ford offers experience and tactical organization, Marcus Smith brings creativity and unpredictability, while Fin Smith has developed a reputation for control, decision making and composure.
Borthwick will need to determine which combination gives England the best balance.
Immanuel Feyi Waboso has also been included despite recent fitness concerns, while center Seb Atkinson has recovered sufficiently to be selected.
The midfield is another area where competition is increasing.
Henry Slade remains one of England’s most experienced centres, but Joe Marchant has returned to the international picture after his spell in France and is joined by Fraser Dingwall, Will Joseph and Atkinson.
Marchant’s recall is particularly interesting.
The Sale Sharks centre last played for England during the 2023 Rugby World Cup before spending two seasons with Stade Français.
His return to the Premiership has reopened the international door, and his defensive quality, pace and versatility could make him a useful option as Borthwick reshapes his midfield.
The forward pack remains packed with proven Test experience.
Itoje, Genge, Jamie George, Luke Cowan Dickie, Ben Earl and the Curry brothers provide a strong core, while younger players such as Henry Pollock, Greg Fisilau and Asher Opoku Fordjour continue to push for larger roles.
That mix of experience and emerging talent is central to Borthwick’s planning.
England have less than a year before the World Cup, meaning opportunities to experiment are becoming increasingly limited.
Results during the Nations Championship will matter, but identifying the combinations capable of succeeding in Australia may be just as important.
Discipline will also be under scrutiny.
England have received 14 yellow cards and one red card during 2026, and Borthwick recently warned his players that spending long periods with fewer than 15 men is becoming unsustainable.
The coach has highlighted the breakdown and defensive workload as two areas where England must improve.
When a team is forced to defend repeatedly, the risk of penalties and cards increases.
England have therefore been working on both discipline and defensive structure as they prepare for a demanding November programme.
Australia will provide an immediate test.
The Wallabies have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months and arrive with plenty of experience against top level opposition.
Borthwick has made clear that England expect a difficult contest and cannot afford to start slowly.
The Nations Championship format adds further importance to the fixture.
England played three matches during the July phase, losing 45-21 to South Africa before responding with victories over Fiji and Argentina.
They now return home knowing that the November matches will determine their final standing before the finals weekend.
That makes the loss of Mitchell especially frustrating.
Scrum half is one of the most influential positions in modern rugby because the player controls the speed of possession and frequently determines whether an attack continues quickly or resets.
Mitchell’s understanding with England’s fly halves has developed over several seasons, and losing that familiarity shortly before facing Australia forces Borthwick to adjust.
Van Poortvliet now has an opportunity to re establish himself.
The Leicester scrum half has previously been viewed as one of England’s leading long term options at No 9, but injuries and Mitchell’s strong form have reduced his opportunities.
A start against Australia would provide a major chance to remind Borthwick of his quality.
Spencer and Randall will also see Mitchell’s absence as an opportunity.
With World Cup selection becoming increasingly competitive, every international appearance now carries extra value.
The same applies across the squad.
Borthwick has repeatedly stressed that he is approaching the point where the World Cup group will begin to take shape.
Players who perform consistently during the Nations Championship could therefore move themselves into strong positions for 2027.
Those who struggle may find opportunities becoming more limited.
England’s November campaign will consequently be about much more than individual results.
It is another stage in the process of building a squad capable of challenging for the World Cup.
The matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand offer different tactical challenges, while the finals weekend will provide another high pressure fixture against southern hemisphere opposition.
Mitchell’s injury is an unwelcome complication, but it also creates an important opportunity for England’s other scrum halves. With the World Cup moving closer and Borthwick narrowing down his preferred squad, the Nations Championship could prove decisive for several players hoping to secure their place in England’s plans for 2027.
