Mitchell ruled out of England’s Nations Championship

England have been dealt a blow with Alex Mitchell ruled out of the entire Nations Championship after sustaining a hamstring injury during Northampton’s 28-14 victory over Gloucester on Saturday.The British and Irish Lions scrum-half underwent a scan on Monday, with the results confirming he will miss all four of this month's Tests. It is the fourth hamstring injury Mitchell has sustained in 2026, dealing another setback to the scrum-half, who had been expected to play a key role in England's matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as the Nations Championship finals weekend from November 27-29. Borthwick names 36-player England squadSteve Borthwick lays down World Cup challenge to EnglandLatest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOWJack van Poortvliet is now likely to start in the No 9 jersey for England's clash against the Wallabies on Sunday at the Allianz Stadium, with either Ben Spencer or Harry Randall providing cover from the bench.Mitchell's Northampton team-mate Fin Smith is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday's match, as he battles his second calf problem of the year. Head coach Steve Borthwick will give Smith until Wednesday to prove he can play, with George Ford and Marcus Smith on standby to step in at fly-half.Archie McParland, another Northampton half-back who is struggling with a calf issue, could return against Japan or New Zealand, but Sam Underhill (biceps), Kepueli Tuipulotu (knee) and Benhard Janse van Rensburg (concussion) will miss the whole of the second phase of the Nations Championship.