Fin Smith heads into a crucial Wednesday session, hoping to confirm his fitness for the Allianz Stadium opener against Australia.
He’ll train with the squad for the first time since hurting his calf in Northampton’s 24‑Oct loss to Leicester.
England grow more confident the Lion will be ready for Sunday’s clash, having cleared every rehab milestone so far.
Steve Borthwick will name his squad on Friday, possibly giving the starter two full sessions before a hoped‑for comeback in the first of four Tests.
If Smith isn’t cleared, veteran George Ford and Harlequins’ Marcus Smith will vie for No 10, pitting experience against form. In my view, Smith’s return could be the spark England needs.
“Fin is really good and he’s tracking nicely,” said Northampton teammate Tommy Freeman.
“He’s doing the right stuff with the physios. It’s always good having him there because of the connection I have with him at the club, which will always be beneficial for me,” he added.
Whoever starts against Australia will link up with Jack van Poortvliet at half‑back, as England cope with Alex Mitchell’s season‑long absence.
Scans reveal Mitchell’s fourth hamstring issue of 2026 – a bleak run of leg injuries – demanding weeks of rehab and sidelining him for the Tests versus Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the finals weekend.
The injury occurred in Northampton’s 28‑14 win over Gloucester on Saturday; with scrum‑half Archie McParland also out with a calf strain, England added Ben Spencer and Harry Randall to the squad.
“Seeing Mitch go off like that isn’t pleasant, but these things happen,” Freeman said.
“It’s sport, it comes with the game. We’re gutted for Mitch and hope he recovers well,” he said.
Freeman is likely to feature on the wing, having started there in England’s last two Test wins over Fiji and Argentina in July’s opening phase.
The Lions star began the southern‑hemisphere leg at outside centre against South Africa – his sixth straight midfield Test – but England seem to have paused any positional experiments for now.
“The wing’s been a bit of a focus,” Freeman noted. “Playing there and having that continuity is where I feel most comfortable.”
“I can always shift into midfield if needed. Many teams have players who can cover multiple positions,” he said.