England have twin half-back concerns for the autumn internationals after Sale Sharks’ George Ford was revealed to have suffered a torn thigh muscle in Saturday’s defeat at Saracens.
The 31-year-old fly-half had to go off in the early stages of Saturday’s 45-26 loss after attempting a long-range penalty.
“We don’t know the length of time that will take to rehab at this point. We haven’t got anything definite or concrete to tell you now,” director of rugby Alex Sanderson said.
Northampton’s Alex Mitchell, who established himself as England’s firm first-choice scrum-half last season, is yet to play this season as he recovers from a neck injury.
Saints’ director of rugby Phil Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton said that there there was “no timeline” for the 27-year-old’s comeback as they wait for him to respond to treatment.
England play New Zealand on 2 November, with their autumn programme completed by meetings with Australia, South Africa and Japan.
Bath’s Ben Spencer would appear to be the likeliest to be promoted if Mitchell misses out, although Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a serious ankle injury, and Bristol’s Harry Randall may also come into head coach Steve Borthwick’s thinking.
Ford missed England’s summer matches against the All Blacks and Japan with an Achilles tendon issue and his continued absence would likely mean the fly-half spot being contested by Harlequins’ Marcus Smith and Northampton’s Fin Smith once again.
Ford started every one of England’s Six Nations matches last season, but he has not appeared on the Test stage since.
“He’s important to us, King and country,” said Sanderson. “Nationally important, he is.
“I can perceive [him] being back [after] not an overly long layoff given how he walked off the field but that’s the only subjective analysis I’ve got on it.”
Ford, who has won 91 caps for his country, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Sanderson added that they had held “positive talks” with him about extending his deal through to the 2027 World Cup.
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