As the Six Nations Championship rapidly approaches, England Rugby fans are holding their collective breath, eagerly awaiting news on the fitness of star scrum-half Alex Mitchell. The electric Northampton Saints playmaker, who established himself as England’s first-choice No. 9 in 2024, suffered a concerning knee injury in last weekend’s European Champions Cup action. With their opening match against Ireland looming on February 1st, Mitchell’s availability could prove pivotal to England’s hopes of starting the tournament with a bang.
Borthwick Delivers Mixed Injury Update
Speaking at the Six Nations launch event in Rome on Tuesday, England head coach Steve Borthwick provided a mixed bag of injury updates. While the prognosis for Mitchell appears promising, the news was less encouraging for several other key figures in the England camp:
- Jamie George, last year’s captain, will miss the Ireland clash with a hamstring issue expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks.
- Alex Coles is awaiting further assessment on his injury, but Borthwick hopes it will be a “matter of weeks”.
- Alex Dombrandt, the dynamic Harlequins back-rower, is set for around 4 weeks out with a calf problem.
- There remains uncertainty around Jack van Poortvliet‘s situation, but the England boss is optimistic he’ll return within a month.
Despite this raft of injuries, it’s the potential absence of midfield maestro Mitchell that will cause England fans the most distress. Borthwick was quick to emphasize the 25-year-old’s importance to his plans:
“Alex clearly established himself as the first-choice No. 9 at the World Cup and through 2024, we really saw him grow as a Test player. You can see the effect Alex has on the Northampton team as well as the England team. We are very optimistic that he will be available next week and he’s been playing really well. He is clearly crucial to the way we want to play.”
Steve Borthwick, England Head Coach
Mitchell’s electric pace, crisp service, and ability to keep defenses honest around the fringes have become vital components in England’s armory. With the breakdown battle set to be fiercely fought in this year’s Six Nations, his capacity to whip the ball away from the base of rucks and mauls could prove the difference in tight contests.
Pollock Poised for Opportunity
Amidst the injury troubles, one potential bright spot for England is the call-up of uncapped Northampton back-row Henry Pollock. The Under-20 World Championship winner has been turning heads with his abrasive, all-action performances for the Saints this season, and Borthwick is backing him to bring that same fierce competitiveness to the international arena:
“When you saw [Pollock] come on at the weekend, in a big European fixture [for Northampton], he played with fierce competitiveness. It is all about winning for him — finding a way to help his team win. The level of the back-row in the Six Nations is unbelievable. They need to run, hit and link with attack and he does that. We have some good back-rowers who do that, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Steve Borthwick, England Head Coach
Pollock joins a stacked England back-row contingent including the likes of Ben Curry, Ben Earl, and Tom Willis. With Dombrandt sidelined, the stage could be set for the 21-year-old tyro to make a name for himself on the biggest stage.
Borthwick Upbeat Despite Disrupted Preparations
While the spate of injuries is far from ideal, Borthwick remains steadfast in his belief that England have the depth to cope. Adaptability, he insists, is an essential trait in the unforgiving cauldron of the Six Nations:
“You always anticipate there’s going to be changes. You’ve got to adapt. That’s why you have your depth charts. People have to around what we’re trying to do.”
Steve Borthwick, England Head Coach
As the clock ticks down to that monumental clash in Dublin, English eyes will remain laser-focused on the fitness of Alex Mitchell. If the dynamic scrum-half can shake off that knee niggle and take his place at the base of England’s scrum, their chances of launching this Six Nations campaign with a season-defining victory will be significantly bolstered. For now, the England faithful must play the waiting game, hoping that Mitchell, and the rest of Borthwick’s wounded troops, can answer the call for what promises to be an enthralling championship.
