Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been called into the England squad ahead of the Round 3 clash with Wales after Harry Randall was forced to withdraw through injury.
Bristol Bears No.9 Randall suffered an ankle injury that is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, meaning Eddie Jones has opted for cover in his 28-man group.
The 23-year-old Mitchell represented England at Under-20s level and has previously been part of Jones’ training squads, as well as making a senior appearance for his country in the non-cap match against Barbarians in 2019.
Randall had provided scrum-half cover for Ben Youngs and Dan Robson across the first two rounds of the Championship but will now return to his club for treatment without making his international debut.
England opened up the 2021 Guinness Six Nations with a narrow defeat to Scotland before bouncing back against Italy last time out and now head to Cardiff to face a Wales side still on course for a Grand Slam following victories over Ireland and Scotland.
If selected when Jones names his team on Thursday, full-back Elliot Daly would win his 50th England cap, something the 28-year-old admits he would relish.
“Winning 50 caps would be a brilliant achievement and something I didn’t think I would get to when I was starting out at 23, 24,” said Daly.
