England’s preparations for their blockbuster Nations Championship clash against the Springboks have suffered an early setback.
Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell is facing a race against time to be fit after suffering a hamstring injury during a training camp last week.
The Northampton Saints playmaker is now expected to miss the remainder of the Premiership season and could also be unavailable for England’s opening Test at Ellis Park on 4 July.
MORE: Rassie’s world champs target another crown
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson confirmed on Wednesday that the injury is serious enough to place Mitchell’s short-term future in doubt.
“He’s pulled it and he’s done a decent job on it,” said Dowson. “It’s going to be a push to get him any rugby for us for the rest of the season.”
Mitchell’s injury comes at a difficult time for England coach Steve Borthwick, with the 28-year-old widely regarded as the country’s first-choice scrumhalf heading into a demanding international window.
England also take on Fiji in Liverpool on 11 July and Argentina in Buenos Aires a week later.
ALSO: SA-raised coach to help England unlock Boks
The timing of the injury will also frustrate Northampton, who remain in contention for the Premiership title. The final is scheduled for Twickenham on 20 June.
Dowson admitted the situation was disappointing for both club and country.
“It’s frustrating and every director of rugby would say that,” he said. “[England coach] Steve [Borthwick] would say that when people get injured on club time and they’re about to go and play internationals. It’s the nature of the beast. These things happen.”
There will also be concern over the recurring nature of the problem.
Mitchell missed the final two rounds of this season’s Six Nations after injuring his other hamstring earlier in the campaign, raising fears that England may have to manage his workload carefully ahead of the international season.
– AFP
Photo: Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters
The post England star set to miss Ellis Park battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
England’s preparations for their blockbuster Nations Championship clash against the Springboks have suffered an early setback.
The post England star set to miss Ellis Park battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
