England's rugby squad for the upcoming Nations Championship has seen significant changes due to injuries, with Ben Spencer and Harry Randall being called up. Scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland have been ruled out of the match against Australia.
Mitchell sustained a hamstring injury during Northampton's win over Gloucester on Saturday. The extent of his lay-off will be determined by a scan on Monday. This is the fourth hamstring issue for the 29-year-old this year. Uncapped prospect McParland, 21, picked up a calf injury during England's training camp last week. He could still be available for matches against Japan and New Zealand on November 14 and 21 respectively.
Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet is likely to continue as the first-choice scrum-half, having started all three of England's summer Tests. The team also faces potential disruption at fly-half, with Fin Smith nursing a calf problem. Marcus Smith and George Ford are competing to cover his absence.
In other squad news, Saracens' Theo Dan has secured the third hooker spot, displacing Bath's Kepu Tuipulotu, who also suffered an injury in training. Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson and Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso have recovered from injuries and are included.
Midfield selections present intrigue, with Gloucester's Will Joseph and Sale's Joe Marchant, who is now eligible after a stint in France, both named in the squad. Bath centre pair Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, as well as 20-year-old Saracens wing Noah Caluori, have not been included.
Following the game against Australia, England is scheduled to play Japan and New Zealand, with a fourth match against an as-yet-undetermined southern hemisphere opponent in the Nations Championship finals weekend.