Mitchell replaces Northampton team-mate Henry Pollock and is expected to be given the number nine jersey when head coach Steve Borthwick names his team on Thursday

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Sunday.

England kick-off their Six Nations campaign with a crunch clash against Ireland on Saturday and Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick is preparing his squad in Girona

British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday because of injury.

Ireland tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has returned home to Ireland from the squad’s training base in Portugal and has been ruled out of facing England in the opening match of this year’s Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday.

Ireland have been dealt a major blow ahead of the opening Six Nations fixture of their title defence after Tadhg Furlong was ruled out due to injury.

IRELAND TIGHTHEAD PROP Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England in Dublin due to a recurrence of his calf injury. Connacht’s uncapped Jack Aungier has been called up to the Ireland senior squad for the first time in place of Furlong.