England coach Steve Borthwick has left out George Ford from his 36-man squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series. Next month, the Red Roses host New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in their newly named Allianz Stadium, with their opening game against the All Blacks on November 2.
Ford, 31, missed last week’s training camp with a quad injury and was considered a doubt for the upcoming games. And the outside half has not been included in the initial squad, instead listed under ‘rehabilitation’.
It means he could yet play a part late on in the series, with Fin and Marcus Smith currently selected as the two No.10 options. Harlequins captain Alex Dombrandt however, is picked despite being out for a month with a broken hand.
Centre Henry Slade and flanker Tom Curry have also been deemed to have recovered from injury to make the squad. Slade underwent shoulder surgery after the summer tour to New Zealand and has not played for Exeter this season, while Sale’s Curry has recently returned from a concussion break.
However, first-choice scrum hald Alex Mitchell is ruled out with a neck problem. In his absence, Borthwick has selected Ben Spencer, Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall as his three No.9 options.
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