Sports

England autumn squad: Alex Mitchell, George Ford, Fraser Dingwall miss out injured while Tom Curry included | Rugby Union News


Alex Mitchell, George Ford and Fraser Dingwall have all failed to make England’s 36-player squad for the autumn internationals due to injury, but Tom Curry has been passed fit. 

Northampton Saints scrum-half Mitchell has developed into a key man for club and country in recent years, but a neck injury has ruled him out for England’s Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Tests vs New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.

There had been hope Sale Sharks fly-half Ford would overcome his thigh injury to be selected, but he has failed to make the panel. He is the only player listed to undergo “rehabilitation” on the squad release.

England Training - Honda England Rugby Performance Centre - Pennyhill Park
England's Alex Mitchell during a training session at Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park, Bagshot. Picture date: Monday February 5, 2024.
Image:
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell has not made the squad due to a neck injury, in a big blow

Northampton centre Dingwall – a player some had picked as a potential England starter this November – has failed to make it due to a knee injury.

England's Fraser Dingwall scoring his sides second try during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday February 10, 2024.
Image:
Centre Fraser Dingwall is another to miss out due to injury (knee)

Sale back-row Curry has missed the majority of the Premiership season to date due to concussion, but has made the cut in a boost to head coach Steve Borthwick.

Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade is also included, but has not played since the summer due to shoulder surgery, while Saracens midfielder Alex Lozowski has made the squad despite not playing for England since November 2018.

England fly-half George Ford suffered a torn thigh muscle during Sale's 45-26 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Saracens
Image:
Fly-half George Ford has also not been included due to his recent thigh injury

Back-rows Tom Willis (Saracens) and Ethan Roots (Exeter) have been omitted, while lock Alex Coles (Northampton) is also listed as injured.

Exeter back-row Greg Fisilau and Harlequins centre Oscar Beard also miss out, despite having been a part of England’s recent mini-camp.

“Naming this squad is an exciting step in our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series, and we look forward to working with the players again in the days ahead.” said Borthwick.

“Our focus is on thorough preparation and building cohesion as we approach what will be a fiercely competitive series.

“Facing New Zealand in the opening match is a tremendous opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.

“Having only played at Allianz Stadium twice in our last 15 games, it will be fantastic to return and play in front of our home crowd. The energy and passion of our supporters always give the players an extra boost.”

England’s revised coaching set-up

Steve Borthwick – head coach

Richard Wigglesworth – senior assistant coach (attack)

Joe El-Abd – assistant coach (defence)

Tom Harrison – assistant coach (scrum)

Kevin Sinfield – assistant coach (skills & kicking)
Andrew Strawbridge – assistant coach and coaching advisor

36-player squad named for England’s autumn Tests

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints), Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).

Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

Watch every game of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, including all three Test matches against the Wallabies, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Also stream with NOW.



Source link