Borthwick names England's Nations Championship squad as Mitchell out

Nations Championship: Alex Mitchell ruled out as Steve Borthwick names England squad England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for the upcoming Nations Championship; Alex Mitchell is not included after suffering an injury over the weekend; Fin Smith included in the squad despite missing training camp Monday 2 November 2026 16:35, UK England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for the forthcoming Nations Championship. England are set to face Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 8 in round four. The squad, comprising 20 forwards and 16 backs, assembles at England's performance centre at Pennyhill Park on November 2. - Nations Championship: Schedule as inaugural tournament gears up for finals - The All Blacks' Haka explained - plus rugby's other rituals - Steve Borthwick lays down World Cup challenge to England - Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW Alex Mitchell is not in the squad after the scrum-half was forced off during Northampton's 28-14 win against Gloucester on Saturday evening. Mitchell had to come off with just 21 minutes played due to a hamstring injury, walking down the Franklin's Gardens tunnel to be replaced by 20-year-old Jonny Weimann. An injury update is expected in due course. Scrum halves Ben Spencer and Harry Randall are in the squad in Mitchell's absence. Despite missing England's three-day training camp ahead of the series, Fin Smith is included in the squad. "We're looking forward to getting back to Allianz Stadium for four important Test matches against top-level opposition," said Borthwick. "These fixtures take on added significance this Autumn as they represent our final opportunity to face Southern Hemisphere opposition before next year's Rugby World Cup. "Facing Australia next Sunday is an exciting challenge. They have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months, and we know the quality and experience they will bring." Following the Australia fixture, England will face Japan and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in rounds five and six, before Finals Weekend from Friday 27 to Sunday November 29. England's Nations Championship squad Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins) Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby) Alex Coles (Northampton Saints) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks) Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) Theo Dan (Saracens) Ben Earl (Saracens) Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs) Jamie George (Saracens) Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) Maro Itoje (Saracens) Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints) George Martin (Saracens) Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks) Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints) Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby) Backs: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby) Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs) George Ford (Sale Sharks) Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) George Furbank (Harlequins) Will Joseph (Gloucester Rugby) Joe Marchant (Sale Sharks) Cadan Murley (Harlequins) Harry Randall (Bristol Bears) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) Fin Smith (Northampton Saints) Marcus Smith (Harlequins) Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby) Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers) 2026 Nations Championship November fixtures and July results Friday November 6 Ireland vs Argentina (8.10pm) Saturday November 7 Italy vs South Africa (11.40am) Scotland vs New Zealand (2.10pm) Wales vs Japan (4.40pm) France vs Fiji (8.10pm) Sunday November 8 England vs Australia (3.10pm) Friday November 13 France vs South Africa (8.10pm) Saturday November 14 Italy vs Argentina (11.40am) Wales vs New Zealand (2.10pm) England vs Japan (4.40pm) Ireland vs Fiji (8.10pm) Sunday November 15 Scotland vs Australia (3.10pm) Saturday November 21 England vs New Zealand (2.10pm) Scotland vs Japan (2.10pm) Ireland vs South Africa (4.40pm) Italy vs Fiji (4.40pm) France vs Argentina (8.10pm) Wales vs Australia (8.10pm) Finals Weekend (Twickenham) November 27 Sixth-place North vs Sixth-place South, Third-place North vs Third-place South November 28 Fifth-place North vs Fifth-place South, Second-place North vs Second-place South November 29 Fourth-place North vs Fourth-place South, First-place North vs First-place South July 4 New Zealand 34-32 France Japan 27-10 Italy South Africa 45-21 England Australia 31-33 Ireland Fiji 24-39 Wales Argentina 38-47 Scotland July 11 New Zealand 47-17 Italy Japan 20-36 Ireland South Africa 42-28 Scotland Australia 26-42 France Fiji 8-73 England Argentina 35-21 Wales July 18 Japan 15-42 France Australia 57-10 Italy South Africa 43-0 Wales New Zealand 40-21 Ireland Fiji 17-33 Scotland Argentina 24-31 England [Image text:] O CASTORI Allianz