Northampton beat Gloucester as Mitchell suffers injury setback

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Northampton beat Gloucester 28-14, but scrum-half Alex Mitchell limped off with a suspected hamstring injury.

Northampton secured a 28-14 victory over Gloucester, scoring 28 unanswered points to overcome an early onslaught from the early-season pace-setters. The win was underpinned by strong defensive resilience, with England player Tom Pearson outstanding throughout.

The result was overshadowed by an injury to England scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who limped off with a suspected hamstring injury. Mitchell's withdrawal compounds England's mounting injury problems ahead of Sunday's autumn opener against Australia. The injury is particularly concerning given that Mitchell has already suffered three hamstring injuries this year: during the Six Nations, at an England camp in May, and during the summer Test against Fiji.

The setback adds to England coach Steve Borthwick's concerns. He is already managing the fitness of Northampton fly-half Fin Smith, who was absent with an injured calf. Mitchell's injury is especially problematic with fellow scrum-half Archie McParland, his Northampton team-mate, omitted from the matchday squad. When fit, Mitchell is England's first choice at scrum-half, though Jack van Poortvliet started the summer Tests when Mitchell lacked game time.

How it is being reported

• England boss Steve Borthwick facing ANOTHER selection headache after star's injury as Northampton Saints show their credentials in win over Gloucester, writes ALEX BYWATERALEX BYWATER AT DPD STADIUM AT FRANKLIN'S GARDENS: Without Smith and Henry Pollock on the bench, Northampton never got going before the break.Daily Mail Sport · 31 Oct, 20:46
• Mitchell injury blow adds to England’s woes as Northampton sink GloucesterNorthampton 28-14 Gloucester Alex Mitchell limps off with suspected hamstring pull England’s injury problems are mounting before Sunday’s autumn opener against Australia with the scrum-half, Alex Mitchell, limping out of Northampton’s hard-fought victory over Gloucester with another suspected hamstring injury. It is to the credit of Northampton that they weathered that setback, withheld Gloucester’s early onslaught to score 28 unanswered points and see off the early-season pace-setters. Northampton’s last league outing here ended with 119 points scored , but this was a victory founded on…The Guardian · 31 Oct, 20:05
• Northampton’s brilliant comeback win over Gloucester marred by Mitchell injuryNorthampton’s brilliant comeback win over Gloucester marred by Mitchell injuryThe Telegraph · 31 Oct, 19:43
• England's Mitchell injured as Northampton, Bath, Saracens, Quins pick up Prem winsAlex Mitchell provided an injury worry for England ahead of the Nations Championship as the scrum-half was forced off during Northampton's 28-14 win against Gloucester on Saturday evening.Sky Sports · 31 Oct, 17:15

In this story: Northampton · Gloucester · Alex Mitchell · England · Australia · Tom Pearson · Steve Borthwick · Fin Smith

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