Fin Smith injury doubt for England's Australia opener

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 26 Oct, 17:19 · Archive

England fly half Fin Smith is a doubt for the autumn Test against Australia after sustaining a calf injury.

Fin Smith is a doubt for England's first autumn Test against Australia on 8 November after suffering a calf injury in the second half of Northampton's Gallagher Premiership defeat to Leicester on Saturday. The England fly half has been withdrawn from Steve Borthwick's 36-man training squad and will remain with the group to undergo rehabilitation rather than taking part in the three-day camp. Charlie Atkinson of Gloucester has been called up as his replacement.

Smith has been England's first-choice fly half since the Six Nations, starting all three of the July Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, and the last two rounds of the championship. Head coach Borthwick is expected to provide an update on the severity of the calf damage on Tuesday, giving Smith less than two weeks to prove his fitness for the showdown at the Allianz Stadium on 15 November.

England have other fly half options available. Marcus Smith, who earned a man of the match performance for Harlequins against Saracens on Sunday, is in the squad, as are veterans George Ford and Owen Farrell. The Independent notes that Ford has been highly valued for his experience and leadership within the group. Other contenders include Billy Searle of Leicester Tigers, George Barton of Gloucester and Harvey Skinner of Exeter Chiefs.

How it is being reported

• England sweating over Fin Smith fitness before opener against AustraliaSmith is being assessed having entered the three-day pre-Nations Championship training camp with a calf injury.Independent Sport · 26 Oct, 18:04
• The seven contenders for England’s No 10 shirtA calf problem for Fin Smith creates a vacancy and it is not obvious who will fill itThe i Paper · 26 Oct, 17:00
• Fin Smith a doubt to face Australia after pulling out of England training squadSmith will remain with England to undergo treatment and Charlie Atkinson takes his place in the training squad.Independent Sport · 26 Oct, 11:21
• England handed Fin Smith injury worry ahead of autumn TestsCharlie Atkinson has been called up as cover for England’s first-choice fly halfIndependent Sport · 26 Oct, 11:00

In this story: Fin Smith · England · Australia · Steve Borthwick · Charlie Atkinson · Gloucester · Northampton · Marcus Smith

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