Mitchell to miss Australia Test as England recall Spencer and Randall

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England have recalled Ben Spencer and Harry Randall to their Nations Championship squad after injuries ruled Northampton scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland out of Sunday's match against Australia.

Steve Borthwick announced his 36-player group on Monday, with 20 forwards and 16 backs assembling at Pennyhill Park. Jack van Poortvliet is the other specialist scrum-half selected as England prepare to resume their campaign at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on 8 November.

Mitchell injured a hamstring during Northampton's 28–14 victory over Gloucester on Saturday. The extent of the damage remained subject to assessment, so his absence against the Wallabies does not yet establish how much of the November programme he will miss. McParland has been sidelined by a calf injury sustained in England training.

There was better news at fly-half, where Fin Smith was included despite missing the preceding training camp. His selection gives Borthwick three established options in the position, alongside George Ford and Marcus Smith.

Seb Atkinson and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso also returned to the squad, with Max Ojomoh and Noah Caluori absent from the backs named on Monday. At hooker, Theo Dan replaced Kepueli Tuipulotu, whose knee injury created another change to England's preparations.

Among the Northampton players retained were forwards Alex Coles, Emmanuel Iyogun, Tom Pearson and Henry Pollock, alongside Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman and Fin Smith in the backs.

England's home programme continues against Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November, followed by the competition's finals weekend from 27–29 November. Borthwick identified this November programme as England’s last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition before the 2027 World Cup.