Fin Smith has emerged as a doubt for England’s autumn opener against Australia after being withdrawn from Steve Borthwick’s training squad because of a calf problem.
Smith will remain with England to undergo treatment on the injury sustained in the second-half of Northampton’s Gallagher Prem defeat at Leicester on Saturday but will take no part in training
Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson has been called up as his replacement for the three-day camp ahead of the second phase of the Nations Championship, which begins against the Wallabies on November 8.
The severity of Smith’s calf damage is still being assessed and an update is expected on Tuesday, leaving him with a race against time to be fit for the Allianz Stadium showdown on Sunday week.
As Smith is England’s first-choice fly-half, Borthwick will be hoping for positive news on the British and Irish Lion.
Smith has taken a grip on the 10 jersey since the last two rounds of the Six Nations, starting all three of the July Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
A calf injury forced him to miss the start of the Championship with George Ford selected as chief conductor and the veteran Sale playmaker will come into contention to deputise if Smith is ruled out.
Marcus Smith is the third fly-half in England’s elite player squad and the Harlequin entered camp on Sunday night as a player in form following his man of the match performance against Saracens hours earlier.
Smith celebrated his 200th appearance for Quins by running in the first try and stopping Max Malins from touching down with a last-gasp tackle in an emphatic 33-15 victory at The Stoop.
However, Borthwick sees Smith primarily as a full-back rather than fly-half where he plays for Quins, with the 27-year-old also a vital bench option because of his ability to cover multiple positions.
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