England star undergoes surgery after fourth hamstring injury
INJURY UPDATE: England scrumhalf Alex Mitchell is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to address recurring hamstring problems.
The 29-year-old, who was Steve Borthwick’s first-choice No.9 last season, has suffered four hamstring injuries this year, with the latest sustained during Northampton’s victory over Gloucester last month ruling him out of England’s Nations Championship campaign.
Mitchell has suffered repeated problems with the same hamstring, injuring it against Ireland in February and Fiji in July. He also strained his left hamstring, his non-kicking leg, during an England training camp in May.
*ALSO READ England dealt double injury blow ahead of Japan showdown
it was reported last month that he had been given the option, like captain Maro Itoje, of sitting out England’s summer fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, but chose to play.
The full extent of his latest recovery period remains unclear, with the Six Nations kicking off in less than three months.
Jack van Poortvliet has taken over as Borthwick’s starting scrumhalf in Mitchell’s absence, but there is plenty of competition for the position. Bristol’s Harry Randall, Bath’s Ben Spencer and Mitchell’s Northampton team-mate Archie McParland are also in contention.
Mitchell travelled to Finland for the operation, which was performed by Lasse Lempainen, a specialist in elite sporting injuries.
Lempainen has previously treated Chelsea and England defender Reece James and Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, both of whom returned to regular action after a series of muscular injuries.
England teammate Ben Curry was also operated on by the Finnish specialist and successfully returned after 10 months out, featuring in England’s victory over Australia last weekend.
1 YEAR TO GO
The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available!
