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Fin Smith a Doubt for England’s Six Nations Opener After Calf Strain

Northampton set a minimum two-week absence as scan results guide a return timeline.

Overview

  • The fly-half was withdrawn hours before Northampton’s 50-28 Champions Cup defeat at Bordeaux-Bègles and is awaiting a scan to confirm the severity.
  • Director of rugby Phil Dowson said the layoff is "probably minimum two weeks," putting his availability for Wales at Twickenham on 7 February in question.
  • England’s squad is due to be named next week, with George Ford the recent first-choice starter at fly-half in the autumn Tests.
  • Full-back George Furbank has calf tightness and will be managed conservatively after a significant 2025 issue, having not played since 20 December.
  • Centre Fraser Dingwall has specialist clearance to return on Sunday, as Saints pursue a more favorable round-of-16 draw after qualifying from Pool Four.