England suffers another injury setback

NEWS: England has been hit by another setback ahead of their Six Nations opener against Italy after concerns emerged surrounding the fitness of scrumhalf Alex Mitchell.

Following his sterling exploits at the World Cup and his current form for Northampton Saints this season, Mitchell was earmarked as the number one England scrumhalf.

But his chances of making the Six Nations game in Rome against the Azzurri this weekend is now hanging in the balance after he missed training for two days in a row after a wound on his leg has become infected.

Following the injury flyhalf Marcus Smith sustained, England coach Steve Borthwick might be forced to change his halfback combination in total.

It was confirmed earlier in the week that Smith will miss the opening encounter after he sustained a calf injury in training.

It now opens the door for Danny Care and Ben Spencer to rally for the number nine jumper that will most probably pair up with George Ford at ten.

A further two backline players are sidelined - Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence - and Borthwick will have to do some reshuffling among the backs.