Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle

ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.

- JON NEWCOMBE

The 27-year-old had established himself as England's leading No.9 at the Rugby World Cup and then well into 2024 before a neck injury midway through pre-season halted his progress.

Mitchell woke up one morning unable to move his neck and scans showed a bulging disc, which led to him missing the first six rounds of the Premiership as well as England's entire Autumn Nations Series campaign.

However, Ben Spencer and Jack van Poortvliet failed to seize their chance to steal a march on Mitchell and the Northampton man is likely to start England's opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 1 under new captain Maro Itoje, below.

Given his form since returning to a Saints jersey, the time he spent on the sidelines may end up being a positive for Mitchell in the long run.

The 18-cap international told The Rugby Paper: "At the time it was very frustrating, you never want to be on the touchline watching and I didn't like that period of the season, but it was one of them where I had to get my body in a good place and come back.