Nations Championship: Steve Borthwick names England squad with Alex Mitchell ruled out

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.

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Alex Mitchell is not in the squad after the scrum-half was forced off during Northampton's 28-14 win against Gloucester on Saturday.

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

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Nations Championship: Steve Borthwick names England squad with Alex Mitchell ruled out