England's Alex Mitchell Ruled Out of Nations Championship Opener Against Australia

England's first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of Sunday's Nations Championship opener against Australia at Twickenham due to a hamstring injury. Mitchell, who sustained the injury during Northampton Saints' Premiership victory over Gloucester, will undergo a scan on Tuesday to determine the severity. Head coach Steve Borthwick has called up Harry Randall of Bristol Bears and Ben Spencer of Bath as cover. Mitchell's absence is a significant setback for England, who face a demanding autumn schedule with matches against New Zealand and Japan following the Wallabies clash. The 27-year-old has been a pivotal figure in Borthwick's side, and his potential long-term unavailability could disrupt England's attacking rhythm. With Randall and Spencer competing for the starting role, Borthwick faces a key selection decision as England aim to build momentum ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.