Overview
- Alex Mitchell has recovered from a recent knee injury and is set to start as England's scrum-half in their Six Nations opener against Ireland.
- Mitchell, who missed England's autumn Tests due to a neck injury, will reunite with fly-half Marcus Smith in the half-back pairing.
- The Northampton scrum-half replaces uncapped flanker Henry Pollock in England's 36-man squad, which was finalized ahead of the Dublin match.
- Head coach Steve Borthwick has faced several squad withdrawals, including Jamie George, Alex Dombrandt, and Jack van Poortvliet, but Mitchell's return is seen as a key boost.
- England is seeking their first Six Nations win in Dublin since 2019, facing a formidable Irish team that has won the tournament for the past two years.