Mitch’s on cloud No.9
ENGLAND hotshot Alex Mitchell has been handed an unexpected chance to turn Eddie Jones’ head as soon as rugby union restarts.
Mitchell, whose tag of ‘England scrum-half in waiting’ was underlined when he was called into the national squad for the Six Nations, will have a free run at the Northampton No.9 shirt after Montpellier dug their heels in over the transfer of Cobus Reinach to them.
This was Reinach’s last season at Saints after the French side moved for him in January – and they won’t allow the Springbok to stay on at Franklin’s Gardens through the summer even though the French season has been cancelled.
So it will now be over to Mitchell, 23, for the double-chasing Saints whenever the Premiership does resume.
Mitchell said: “Cobus has been one of the best scrum-halves around, so it has been awesome for me to sit underneath him and learn from him each week.
“But him going is a great opportunity for me to really put my hand up now and see what I can do. I need to play some rugby and play well.
“It’s going to be weird with people leaving clubs mid-season but then again it’s a weird time for everyone.”
A big finish to the domestic season for Mitchell would put pressure on Ben Youngs, 30, and Willi Heinz, 33, who he shadowed in his apprentice role during the Six Nations.
“I was worried that I’d have to be cleaning boots and doing little jobs for everyone but Eddie told me I was very much there as an equal,” Mitchell said.
“There’s been a couple of texts since from Eddie to see how I’m getting on.”