England get major boost as Mitchell fit for Six Nations opener with Ireland
England get major boost as Mitchell fit for Six Nations opener with Ireland
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England have been handed a major boost before Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Ireland with the scrum-half Alex Mitchell passed fit for the trip to Dublin. Mitchell was absent throughout England’s disappointing autumn campaign but his return to fitness is a significant shot in the arm for Steve Borthwick.
Mitchell has been nursing a knee injury, having picked up in Northampton’s Champions Cup victory over Munster, and was unable to train last week but took a full part in Monday’s session and is considered ready for England’s daunting trip to Dublin. He was sorely missed in November, having been sidelined with a neck injury.
It is understood that the in-form No 8 Tom Willis is also set for a second cap and his first involvement since an appearance off the bench in the 2023 World Cup warm-up defeat by Wales in Cardiff. Willis has been in outstanding form for Saracens and while a spot among the replacements is most likely against Ireland, a place in the 23 is just reward for his recent performances.
The 26-year-old was overlooked for the autumn internationals despite beginning the season with Saracens in impressive style. Formerly of Wasps, Willis – who is two years younger than brother and Toulouse flanker Jack – joined Bordeaux in November 2022 before returning to England with Saracens in the summer of 2023. And with Alex Dombrandt among the injury absentees, Willis is set for a long-awaited second cap.
Elsewhere, Marcus Smith is expected to continue at fly-half, reprising his halfback partnership with Mitchell, with Freddie Steward coming back into the side at full-back with George Furbank sidelined with a broken arm. Borthwick has said he was considering shifting Smith to the No 15 and deploying Steward on the wing but that is now a more likely prospect either in the second half against Ireland or later in the tournament.
