England are facing a potential injury crisis ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland with Jamie George ruled out and Alex Mitchell a doubt.

England’s new captain Maro Itoje insisted that “injuries present opportunities” after a raft of players were ruled out of next week’s Six Nations opener in Ireland. Five players were dropped from Steve Borthwick’s squad on Tuesday: Alex Coles (Northampton Saints),

Steve Borthwick has been forced into a drastic reshuffle of his Six Nations squad after Jamie George was ruled out of the opening two rounds, the former captain among four players to withdraw from the England squad.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has been forced to call up five players after his Six Nations squad was rocked by injury on a damaging weekend of club rugby.