Alex Mitchell limps off with a suspected hamstring problem days before England face Australia, while Northampton beat Gloucester 28-14.
England's autumn preparations have taken another hit. Scrum-half Alex Mitchell hobbled off with a suspected hamstring problem during Northampton's 28-14 win over Gloucester, and he is now a serious doubt for next Sunday's opener against Australia. It is the same kind of issue that has bothered him before, and the timing could hardly be worse.
Gloucester, the early-season pace-setters, came out firing and went ahead, and Mitchell's exit threatened to derail Northampton's afternoon. Instead the Saints regrouped. They absorbed the pressure, tightened up and then scored 28 unanswered points to turn the game around.
This was a different kind of win from Northampton's last league outing at home, which produced 119 points. Here the foundation was defence, with the Saints refusing to give Gloucester easy ground and punishing mistakes once they had taken control.
Tom Pearson was the standout. Back in the England picture this autumn, he was excellent throughout and made a strong case for his place in the squad. England will need that kind of depth if Mitchell's scan brings bad news, and all eyes now turn to the medical update before the Australia clash.
