England team to face Australia: Pollock left out as Fin Smith nears comeback

England begin their Nations Championship campaign this weekend when they host Australia at Allianz Stadium, with head coach Steve Borthwick leaving Henry Pollock out of his side as he makes several significant selection calls, according to Ruck.

Borthwick's side have won two of their three matches in the competition so far and will be looking to strengthen their position ahead of the finals weekend later in the tournament, Ruck reported.

The team is not due to be confirmed until Friday, giving Borthwick maximum time to assess his options before the Sunday fixture, Yahoo Sports reported.

Much of that uncertainty centres on fly-half Fin Smith, who faces what Yahoo Sports described as a pivotal training session on Wednesday as he attempts to prove his fitness in time for the Australia match.

Smith, who has been England's first-choice number 10 since the final two rounds of last season's Six Nations, picked up a calf injury playing for Northampton in their 24 October defeat by Leicester and has been absent from the squad ever since.

England are said to be increasingly confident the British and Irish Lion will be passed fit, having progressed through every stage of his rehabilitation so far.

Should Smith fail to be cleared, Borthwick would have to choose between the experienced George Ford and in-form Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith to fill the fly-half role.

Northampton team-mate Tommy Freeman offered a positive update on Smith's recovery, saying: "Fin is really good and he's tracking nicely."

"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," Freeman added.

Whoever starts at fly-half will partner Jack van Poortvliet at half-back, with England having to cope without first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell for the entire autumn campaign.

A scan revealed Mitchell has suffered his fourth hamstring injury of 2026, affecting both legs during the year, and the issue will keep him sidelined for the Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as for finals weekend.

The injury occurred while playing for Northampton against Gloucester at the weekend, and England have also lost fellow Saints scrum-half Archie McParland for at least the Australia fixture because of a calf problem.

England's Nations Championship opener against Australia kicks off this Sunday at Allianz Stadium, with Borthwick's full matchday squad to be confirmed on Friday.