Mitchell replaces uncapped Saints team-mate Henry Pollock in the squad, who drops into the unders, and is expected to be given the No 9 jersey when head coach Steve Borthwick names his team on Thursday. It will be his first appearance since facing New Zealand in Auckland in July after a neck injury ruled him out of the entire autumn series. In his absence none of the alternatives in the position β Ben Spencer, Harry Randall and Jack van Poortvliet β were convincing and the hierarchy below him remains uncertain.
Spencer, Randall and Raffi Quirke are competing to provide scrum half cover from the bench with Van Poortvliet ruled out against Ireland though injury. Mitchell is expected to be paired alongside Marcus Smith at half-back with the Harlequins playmaker likely to continue where he left off in the autumn by pulling the strings at Fin Smith is likely to be picked on the bench with Freddie Steward present at full-back in the absence of George Furbank, who has a fractured arm.
The trip to Dublin will be the first time England have been led by Maro Itoje after the Saracens second row was chosen as captain for the Six Nations in place of Jamie George. From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate β The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests.
To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here. England receive key fitness boost ahead of Six Nations opener. Story by Duncan Bech.
