Spencer and Randall called up as injuries hit England scrum-halves

Ben Spencer and Harry Randall have been called into England’s squad for the Nations Championship after injuries ruled out scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland for Sunday’s opening match against Australia.

Mitchell injured his hamstring during Northampton Saints’ win over Gloucester on Saturday. He was due to have a scan on Monday, with the results expected to clarify the extent of the injury and how long he will be sidelined. The 29-year-old has had three previous hamstring injuries this year.

McParland, 21, sustained a calf injury at England’s training camp last week. He could still be in contention for the Tests against Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November.

Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet, who started all three of England’s summer Tests, is expected to continue as first-choice scrum-half. Spencer has 19 England caps and Randall 14.

England host Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday 8 November, before facing Japan and New Zealand. A fourth Test against a southern hemisphere opponent is scheduled for the Nations Championship play-off finals weekend; the opponent has yet to be decided.

The squad also includes Saracens hooker Theo Dan, selected ahead of Nathan Jibulu, Jamie Blamire and Gabriel Oghre. He replaces Bath’s Kepu Tuipulotu, who was injured at the training camp. Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson and Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are included after returning from injuries for their clubs at the weekend.

In midfield, Gloucester’s Will Joseph and Sale’s Joe Marchant are selected. Bath centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, who both featured in England’s clean sweep last autumn, are omitted. England have also left out 20-year-old Saracens wing Noah Caluori.