South African-born Benhard van Rensburg is an injury worry for England, who may also lose Fin Smith before the Nations Championship opener against Australia.
South African-born Benhard van Rensburg is among the names on England's growing injury list, and the timing is awkward. Steve Borthwick's squad opens its Nations Championship home campaign against Australia on 8 November, and the doubts are stacking up fast.
The biggest worry is fly-half Fin Smith. The Northampton playmaker hurt his calf in the second half of Saints' game against Leicester on Saturday. He will miss the three-day training camp in Bagshot this week, which leaves his place in the Wallabies match in serious question.
Losing Smith would hurt. The 24-year-old started at number 10 in all three of England's July Tests, and he was a driving force in Northampton's domestic title win last season. Borthwick has already reacted by calling up Charlie Atkinson to the squad. Guy Pepper is also a doubt alongside van Rensburg.
With the Wallabies due at Twickenham, England's medical staff will be monitoring every update closely this week. Borthwick needs clarity on his key men quickly, because the margin for error in this tournament is thin.
