ENGLAND have received a major boost ahead of their opening Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell is set to return for the Aviva Stadium opener in Dublin on Saturday.
The 27-year-old participated fully in training on Monday after recovering from a knee injury.
Steve Borthwick’s side are in Girona, Spain,ahead of their opening game in the Irish capital.
Mitchell missed the Autumn Nations Series due to a neck injury but now looks ready to face the defending champions.
The Northampton star’s availability will come as a major boost to under pressure Borthwick.
The travelling boss has faced multiple squad changes with Jamie George, Alex Coles, Alex Dombrandt, and Jack van Poortvliet all withdrawing last week.
England beat Ireland in Twickenham last year but haven’t won in Dublin since 2019.
Meanwhile, Ireland Prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of the clash due to a reoccurrence of a calf injury.
The Wexford ace missed the entirety of Ireland’s November Nations Series test clashes before making his return for Leinster in January.
The 32-year-old forward has been blighted with calf issues for a number of seasons.
Leinster’s Furlong will be replaced by Connacht’s Jack Aungier, who is expected to join up with the squad as the prepare for the clash against their rivals in Portugal.
Finlay Bealham is likely to start after news of the injury was confirmed.
Ireland host their rivals on Saturday at 5:45pm.
