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Mitchell's return boosts England ahead of Ireland Six Nations clash / Photo: © AFP/File
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Mitchell's return boosts England ahead of Ireland Six Nations clash
England's first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been cleared to take part in his side's Six Nations opener against double defending champions Ireland on Saturday.
Mitchell became a doubt for the Dublin showdown after suffering a knee injury on European duty for Northampton against Munster on January 18.
But he has now been added to the 36-man squad that is in Spain preparing for the match, clearing the path for his return against the tournament favourites.
Mitchell replaces uncapped Northampton team-mate Henry Pollock in the squad and is expected to be given the number nine jersey when head coach Steve Borthwick names his team on Thursday.
It will be his first Test appearance since facing New Zealand in Auckland in July after a neck injury ruled him out of England's entire November series.
Mitchell is expected to be paired alongside Marcus Smith at half-back, with the Harlequins playmaker likely to continue to wear the number 10 shirt.
Borthwick was hit by a string of withdrawals last week, with Jamie George, Alex Coles, Alex Dombrandt and Jack van Poortvliet all dropping out of the squad.
But the return of Mitchell is a major boost as England chase their first win in Dublin since 2019.
W.Carter--SFF
