England have been handed a potential blow ahead of their Nations Championship Tests with Fin Smith facing further assessment on an injury.
Smith was named as part of a 36-man training squad by head coach Steve Borthwick on Sunday, but will not train this week and instead begin his rehabilitation in camp having featured in Northampton’s defeat to Leicester on Saturday.
Borthwick is expected to provide an update on the extent of the injury to his first-choice fly half on Tuesday, with Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson called up as cover.
Smith has started England’s last five Tests after usurping George Ford at No 10 during the Six Nations, and had been expected to start their November opener against Australia in less than a fortnight.
While it is hoped he will be fit, any possible absence would be significant ahead of a busy international period that also includes games against Japan and New Zealand, and a fixture on the inaugural Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
Borthwick is also without centre Seb Atkinson and wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who are rehabbing knee and hamstring injuries respectively, this week, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg was not included in his squad having suffered a head injury earlier this month playing for Bristol.
His fly half options remain strong, though, with Marcus Smith in excellent recent form for Harlequins and veteran Ford highly valued for his experience and leadership within the group. Atkinson has impressed, meanwhile, for Prem table-toppers Gloucester following a strong campaign last season.