England scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland ruled out of Australia clash

Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland have been ruled out of Sunday’s autumn opener against Australia in an escalation of the disruption faced by England at half-back.

With first-choice fly-half Fin Smith engaged in a race against time to recover from a calf strain in time for the Wallabies’ visit to Allianz Stadium, England have been forced to rule scrum-halves Mitchell and McParland out of contention.

Mitchell damaged his hamstring when on Northampton Saints duty against Gloucester on Saturday and is to undergo a scan, placing his involvement in the second phase of the Nations Championship in doubt.

McParland missed the 28-14 victory at Franklin’s Gardens because of a calf issue sustained during England’s training camp last week and it is hoped he will recover in time to face Japan or New Zealand later in the month.

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Replacements for missing scrum-halves

To fill the vacancies created in his 36-man squad, head coach Steve Borthwick has called up Ben Spencer and Harry Randall.

Spencer is just three games into his comeback from shoulder surgery for Bath, but appeared as a replacement in the climax to England’s July tour against Argentina, while Randall has been an ever-present for Bristol Bears so far this season.

Both players are competing to provide support to Leicester Tigers’ Jack van Poortvliet, who reclaimed the number nine jersey during the summer and would have been competing with Mitchell for the starting role against Australia.

With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Seb Atkinson having proved their fitness from respective hamstring and knee problems by starting for Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester, they have been promoted into the squad.

As a result, Noah Caluori and Max Ojomoh drop out of the 36-man group that is to gather at England’s Surrey training base on Monday evening.

Fin Smith fitness race

Smith is being given until Wednesday to demonstrate he can pull the strings in the Ella Mobbs Trophy showdown with George Ford, Marcus Smith and Charlie Atkinson the alternatives if he is ruled out.

There is one change to the forwards named a week ago because of the withdrawal of rookie hooker Kepueli Tuipulotu due to a knee injury incurred during last week’s three-day training camp.

Theo Dan comes in as his replacement and will add depth in the position behind Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Once England have negotiated inconsistent Australia, they will face Japan and New Zealand on successive Saturday before entering the Nations Championship’s finals weekend on 27-29.

“These fixtures take on added significance this autumn as they represent our final opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition before next year’s World Cup,” Borthwick said.

“Facing Australia next Sunday is an exciting challenge.

“They have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months and we know the quality and experience they will bring.”

England squad

Forwards: F Baxter (Harlequins), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), A Clark (Gloucester Rugby), A Coles (Northampton Saints), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), B Curry (Sale Sharks), T Curry (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), B Earl (Saracens), G Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), E Genge (Bristol Bears), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), M Itoje (Saracens), E Iyogun (Northampton Saints), G Martin (Saracens), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), T Pearson (Northampton Saints), H Pollock (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby).

Backs: S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), G Ford (Sale Sharks), T Freeman (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Harlequins), W Joseph (Gloucester Rugby), J Marchant (Sale Sharks), C Murley (Harlequins), H Randall (Bristol Bears), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), F Smith (Northampton Saints), M Smith (Harlequins), B Spencer (Bath Rugby), F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).

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