England: Halfback crisis as Steve Borthwick’s star duo in doubt with ‘no timeline’ on returns
Steve Borthwick could be without star half-backs Alex Mitchell and George Ford this November
Steve Borthwick faces further selection headaches for his squad, with England half-back pairing George Ford and Alex Mitchell in a race against time to be fit for the Autumn Nations Series next month.
Sale Sharks number 10 Ford was taken off just three minutes into his side’s defeat to Saracens last weekend, and Northampton scrum-half Mitchell is yet to feature this season after picking up an injury in pre-season.
‘Genuinely no timeline’ on Alex Mitchell’s return
Mitchell cemented his spot as England’s starting scrum-half during last year’s World Cup – despite missing out on the initial squad – and was Borthwick’s number one number nine for their tour to Japan and New Zealand this summer.
Upon his return to Northampton, however, he sustained a neck injury and hasn’t featured in any of his side’s pre-season fixtures or Premiership games to date.
Commenting on the fitness of the scrum-half, Saints Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said there’s ‘genuinely no timeline’ on his return.
“He’s had some treatment and we’re waiting to see how effective that’s been,” Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton.
“We want to make sure that’s as conservative as possible when it comes to things around the neck, so we’re giving him some time to make sure he’s 100%.”
He added: “It’s wait and see at the moment. There is genuinely no timeline because it could be anything at the moment.”
“It’s up in the air so it’s hard to make a short-term plan or a long-term plan when you don’t have that information.
“I think he’s bored and a bit frustrated at the moment but we’re hoping he continues to improve and we can get him back in the mixer soon.”
Mitchell made his Test debut in 2021 and has won a total of 18 caps to date.
Alex Sanderson offers George Ford update
Sale fly-half Ford has struggled with injuries since his move to the North West and missed England’s tour to the Southern Hemisphere this summer through an Achilles issue.
Commenting on Ford’s fitness, Sharks Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, said he’s suffered a tear in his thigh.
“Just the initial reports from the scan, it is a tear,” said Sanderson. “It was definitely the right thing to bring him off.
He added: “We don’t know the length of time that will take to rehab at this point. We haven’t got anything definite or concrete to tell you now. He’s important to us, and nationally important.”
Sanderson also detailed his hope Ford won’t be out for long, despite the lack of an exact date.
“I can perceive (him) being back (after) not an overly-long layoff given how he walked off the field,” he said. “But that’s the only subjective analysis I’ve got on it.”
Ford has been a crucial member of the England squad since his debut in 2014, and he has won 96 caps to date.
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