England scrum-half’s Rugby World Cup dreams dashed by ankle injury
Jack van Poortvliet of England is helped from the pitch during the Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Wales
England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has been ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after sustaining an injury against Wales.
The 22-year-old was bidding to feature in his first tournament but has now been ruled out with an ankle problem.
Jack van Poortvliet ruled out of World Cup
Van Poortvliet underwent scans on his right ankle after he was helped from the pitch by medical staff in the 33rd minute of England’s 19-17 Rugby World Cup warm-up victory over Wales.
England Rugby have now confirmed that the Leicester Tigers number nine requires surgery and will not feature in the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France.
Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who was on standby, has been called into the England squad as his replacement.
“It’s really bad luck for Jack, and we send him our very best wishes for a swift and successful recovery,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.
Owen Farrell to learn fate on Tuesday
Meanwhile, England will be sweating over the availability of captain Owen Farrell after his red card for a dangerous tackle on Taine Basham.
Farrell will appear before a video disciplinary hearing that begins on Tuesday morning to find out the length of his suspension.
The mid-range sanction for a dangerous tackle is six games, and given he received a three-match ban for the same offence in January, on top of five matches in 2020 and two in 2016, it is doubtful he will be treated leniently by the disciplinary process.
He will also not be eligible to shorten his suspension with World Rugby’s coaching intervention program (tackle school), which is only available to players once in their career.
Back-row Courtney Lawes is the frontrunner to take over the captaincy if Farrell is unavailable.
England take on Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin this Saturday before Borthwick’s charges wrap up their Rugby World Cup preparations with a game against Fiji at Twickenham on August 26.
Updated England Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs
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