Rugby World Cup 2023: 'Really bad luck' - England's Jack van Poortvliet out with ankle injury sustained in Wales win

England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup because of an ankle injury.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury during England's World Cup warm-up win over Wales at the weekend and will undergo surgery. Northampton Saints’ Alex Mitchell has been called up as a replacement.

"It’s really bad luck for Jack," said England head coach Steve Borthwick. "We send him our very best wishes for a swift and successful recovery."

Van Poortvliet made his international debut in July 2022 and started all of England’s games at the Six Nations earlier this year.

He appeared to suffer the injury against Wales following a collision with team-mate Ollie Lawrence, and was helped off by medical staff.

Van Poortvliet was one of three scrum-halves named in England’s World Cup squad, alongside veteran duo Ben Youngs and Danny Care.

Youngs replaced Van Poortvliet against Wales to win his 123rd international cap.

Speaking after the win against Wales, Borthwick said: “We had Alex Mitchell in camp earlier in our preparation period, and Alex played in the Six Nations as well.

“He was involved in four of the five games during the Six Nations and I’ve asked all of these [standby] players to be ready to be the next man in.

“I said when announcing our 33 that there will be a need to adapt over the coming months. If anything changes, we will adapt.”

England are also waiting on a possible suspension for captain Owen Farrell.

Farrell was sent off against Wales and could miss the start of the World Cup depending on the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

England play Ireland in a warm-up game next weekend and then finish their preparations against Fiji on August 26.

Their first World Cup game is against Argentina on September 9.

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