England scrum-half Mitchell to see specialist on neck injury

English Woman's Journal - England scrum-half Mitchell to see specialist on neck injury

SPORTS 24.09.2024

England scrum-half Mitchell to see specialist on neck injury / Photo: Olivier CHASSIGNOLE - AFP

England scrum-half Alex Mitchell will see a specialist on Thursday to discover the extent of a neck problem that has sidelined him this season.

Change text size:

Mitchell missed defending champions Northampton's defeat at Bath on the opening night of the Premiership last Friday.

Northampton rugby director Phil Dowson said after that match that Mitchell had taken a knock to his neck, with the club awaiting scan results.

Saints continue their Premiership campaign when they host Exeter on Saturday, but Mitchell is unlikely to be in contention.

"He is seeing a specialist again on Thursday, so more update really, then, in terms of timeline and what it looks like," Dowson told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

Mitchell, who has won 18 caps, is England's clear first-choice scrum-half.

Head coach Steve Borthwick will be keeping a close eye on developments with the autumn series opener against New Zealand less than six weeks away.

In-form Bath captain Ben Spencer, who provided bench cover for Mitchell during both summer Tests against the All Blacks, offers quality back-up.

But Mitchell has made the position his own under Borthwick, and any long-term absence would prove a significant blow for club and country.

P.Smid--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - England scrum-half Mitchell to see specialist on neck injury