Alex Mitchell on standby to replace hapless Jack van Poortvliet in England’s Rugby World Cup squad

Alex Mitchell is on standby to replace Jack van Poortvliet in England’s squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France if it’s confirmed that the Leicester Tigers scrum-half will miss the tournament through injury.

Van Poortvliet was forced off the field with an ankle injury in the 33rd minute of England’s 19-17 victory against Wales in their Rugby World Cup warm-up clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

One of three scrum-halves in England squad

The 22-year-old, who was in significant pain, is one of three scrum-halves named in Steve Borthwick’s 33-man squad for the global showpiece alongside Ben Youngs and Danny Care.

A fitness update is expected on Monday at the earliest, and if it is a serious injury, then Northampton Saints number nine Mitchell will be called up to the England camp.

The 26-year-old was unlucky to be left out of the original squad after he impressed during four replacement appearances in the Six Nations earlier this year, bringing plenty of energy and tempo into England’s play.

“We had Alex Mitchell in camp earlier in our preparation period, and he played in the Six Nations as well,” Borthwick said.

“He was involved in four of the five games during the Six Nations, and I’ve asked all of the standby players to be ready to be the next man in.

“I want to make sure we’ve got depth in those key positions. I need to find out the information on Jack at this stage and I don’t know that.”

Borthwick has another potential challenge to think about as England are waiting for the outcome of Tuesday’s disciplinary hearing that will determine the length of captain and fly-half Owen Farrell‘s suspension.

Farrell received his marching orders in the 63rd minute for a dangerous tackle on Wales back-row Taine Basham and could miss England’s World Cup opener against Argentina on September 9 – and possibly more group matches.

George Ford shines as replacement fly-half

Giving England hope is that George Ford delivered a superb performance during the latter stages of that match when he came on as a replacement for Farrell.

“George is a great thinker about the game. He studies the game, he watches the game – a lot. He’s always coming forward with ideas, thoughts and improvements,” Borthwick said.

“You saw against Wales his game management and the use of his kicking game. George’s distribution skills are very, very good.”

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup warm-ups: Five things we learnt from Saturday’s matches