Sports · Other Sports · 6 hrs ago
England wait on Fin Smith’s fitness for Australia opener
England are waiting to learn whether Fin Smith will recover for the Australia opener on 8 November after he strained a calf playing for Northampton.
Coach Steve Borthwick says Smith will have until Wednesday to prove his fitness, and Charlie Atkinson has been called up as cover.
If Smith cannot play, Marcus Smith or George Ford could take over at fly-half.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg will miss England’s autumn campaign after suffering two significant concussions in three games and being advised to avoid contact for several weeks.
Flanker Guy Pepper will also miss the Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand because of an ankle injury.
The autumn games will help shape England’s World Cup squad, with Borthwick saying there are 10 Tests left before he names his 33 players.
England’s first match is against Australia, followed by games against Japan and New Zealand.
England are waiting to learn whether fly-half Fin Smith will recover from a calf strain in time to face Australia on 8 November.
Head coach Steve Borthwick said Smith had until Wednesday to recover, while another report said an official update was due Tuesday.
George Ford or Marcus Smith could take over at fly-half if Smith is unavailable, and Charlie Atkinson has been called up as cover.
Centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been advised to avoid contact for several weeks after suffering significant concussions.
Flanker Guy Pepper will miss England’s autumn Tests because of an ankle injury.
- Who
- England are assessing fly-half Fin Smith’s fitness. Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Guy Pepper are also unavailable.
- What
- Smith has a calf strain and could miss England’s opener against Australia.
- When
- The match is on 8 November. Borthwick said Smith would be given until Wednesday to recover.
- Where
- England are due to host Australia at Allianz Stadium.
- Why
- Smith sustained the calf strain while playing for Northampton against Leicester.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fin Smith sustained a calf strain while playing for Northampton against Leicester.
The Guardian reported that an official update on Smith’s condition was due.
Borthwick said Smith would be given until Wednesday to recover.
England are scheduled to host Australia at Allianz Stadium.
- Australia match
- 8 November
- Fin Smith injury
- Calf strain sustained against Leicester
- Recovery deadline
- Wednesday
- Cover at fly-half
- Charlie Atkinson was called up; George Ford and Marcus Smith are also options
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg
- Advised to take a number of weeks of non-contact work
- Guy Pepper
- Ankle injury; set to miss the autumn Tests
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What people are saying
Fin has made good progress over the last couple of days and we’re hopeful of his availability against Australia, but that remains unclear at this stage.
Benhard has seen a specialist and been advised to take a number of weeks of non-contact work before his reintroduction to rugby over the coming weeks.
When I was a kid I wanted to play for England and that’s not changed.