England's rugby team has suffered a major blow ahead of the final two matches of the Six Nations Championship. First-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday's defeat to Ireland. Coach Steve Borthwick confirmed the player will be out "for several weeks," meaning he will miss matches against Italy and France. In Mitchell's absence, Raffi Quirke has been called up as additional cover, with Jack van Poortvliet set to take over as the primary scrum-half. England's backline situation is further complicated as a knee injury could also rule out centre Ollie Lawrence.
Key Mitchell injury
Alex Mitchell, England's primary scrum-half and a pillar of their attacking formation, suffered a hamstring injury in the 24th minute of the match against Ireland. It has been confirmed that the injury rules him out of the remaining Six Nations matches. Coach Borthwick admitted the player will be out of action "for several weeks."
Backline pressure
Mitchell's absence will likely force England to field a completely new half-back pairing against Italy. Alongside van Poortvliet at scrum-half, fly-half George Ford could also come under pressure after a weaker performance against Ireland, which opens the door for rival Finn Smith. This signals a potential revolution in England's offensive game.
Squad reconstruction and schedule
Coach Borthwick has called up Raffi Quirke from Sale Sharks as additional cover at scrum-half. England, after a crushing defeat to Ireland, currently sits fourth in the table and still has a chance to finish the tournament in a respectable position. Their final two matches are an away trip to Rome to face Italy on March 7th and a finale against France.
Another backline injury
England's selection problems don't end with Mitchell. Centre Ollie Lawrence, who had just returned from injury and played against Ireland, is doubtful for the match against Italy after receiving a knee injection. This potential absence would further weaken the backline of Borthwick's team.
Ahead of the final stage of the Six Nations Championship, England's rugby team faces a significant selection crisis. Key player, scrum-half Alex Mitchell, has been ruled out of the two concluding tournament matches due to a hamstring injury. The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union tournament contested between the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Its history dates back to 1883 when the first Home Nations Championship was held. France was added to the competition in 1910, creating the Five Nations Championship, and since 2000 Italy has participated, giving the tournament its current name. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in world rugby.Mitchell, who had started England's last 10 matches in the tournament and solidified his position as coach Steve Borthwick's first choice even before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, sustained the injury in the 24th minute of Saturday's 42:21 defeat to Ireland.