Alex Mitchell was trying to build on his breakthrough season on a Thursday morning this summer when he encountered a problem that most people would find incredibly puzzling.
“I woke up and I couldn’t move my neck properly,” Northampton and England scrum-half Mitchell told Mail Sport.
After a campaign in which he won the Premiership title and became his country’s first-choice number nine, Mitchell’s discontent emerged suddenly. This led him to miss all four of England’s November Tests.
‘I called the club doctor and he told me to come in. The problem was I couldn’t see over my shoulder so I wasn’t sure if I could drive,’ Mitchell said.
‘I was in so much pain and sweating a lot while driving. I was ready to stop the car and ask someone to come pick me up. But I eventually did it and got treatment and painkillers. The first week was terrible. I just couldn’t move.
‘I was in a heap. It was fine for the first 4-5 weeks of preseason. I made a big mistake while training, but I didn’t think anything of it. Upon examination, I found a bulging disc in my neck.
Alex Mitchell was trying to build on his breakthrough season on a Thursday morning this summer when he encountered a problem that most people would find incredibly puzzling.
“I woke up and I couldn’t move my neck properly,” Mitchell, a scrum-half for Northampton and England, told Mail Sports.
Neck issues aside, this year has been pretty kind to the 27-year-old.
‘I couldn’t do too much. In fact, I thought I might be able to play next week because I’ve had back spasms in the past and thought it might be something similar.
‘But it didn’t really work out. It was really frustrating. It’s finally been 12 weeks. Being injured and not being able to help is one of the worst parts of rugby. It’s always frustrating to watch. I hate that part. But it feels good to be back and I feel good now.’
Aside from the neck issue, this year has been pretty kind to the 27-year-old. He was not included in England’s initial squad for the 2023 World Cup. But he became a key figure as Steve Borthwick’s side finished third after Jack van Poortvliet suffered an injury.
Mitchell went on to start No. 9 in the Six Nations and was a central figure as Saints won their first league title in 10 years.
‘The whole year has been fantastic,’ says Mitchell, who is scheduled to start the Saints’ Champions Cup opener against Castres tomorrow. ‘I miss playing so much. Being laid off makes you appreciate playing a lot more. In some ways, the injury helped. It gave me motivation to keep going. There was definitely hope.’
Mitchell’s return to fitness has been a slow burner. He met a specialist in London and received the best treatment. His status as the only scrum-half on the 17-man list of England’s Enhanced Elite Playing Squad (EPS) signings does not guarantee Test selection. But it’s also an indicator of how important he is to Borthwick.
In many ways, Mitchell achieved the near-impossible this fall, making his mark on the sideline. Ben Spencer and Van Poortvliet each started the two games at scrum-half, but neither put down a solid marker to take the shirt from Mitchell.
In November, England only beat Japan and lost against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Mitchell is likely to return to the starting nine for the 2025 Six Nations. ‘It definitely gives you confidence,’ Mitchell says of the EPS deal. ‘It shows the coaches support you.’
After a campaign in which he won the Premiership title and became a first-choice number nine for his country, Mitchell’s frustration emerged suddenly.
Following Jack van Poortvliet’s injury, he became a key figure as Steve Borthwick’s side finished third at the 2023 World Cup.
Ben Spencer has started two games at scrum-half this autumn but has not laid down a clear marker to take Mitchell’s shirt.
And speaking about being sacked from the England national team, he added: ‘I feel very frustrated with what I see. I want England to do well. So if they lose by a tight margin, things get even worse. Being on the pitch has become much easier. We just need to find a way to win that tight game. We can do better. I know I can do more.’
Mitchell’s first game of the season saw him come off the bench in Northampton’s 25-17 home Premiership loss to Gloucester last Saturday. After winning the title last season, Saints have fallen to eighth place.
‘Now we’re the team that’s being chased,’ Mitchell said. ‘But we like it. Gloucester’s results were disappointing. We didn’t actually show up. Our energy and intention wasn’t there. Last season, this European period gave us a huge push to get back to the Premiership. It made us realize that we can beat very good teams both home and away.’
Saints bucked a recent trend of poor performances by English clubs in Europe to reach the semi-finals of last season’s Champions Cup, where they lost to Leinster.
If he continues his form from last year, Mitchell will likely be a major contender to tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions next summer.
‘When I was a kid, I used to go to my friends’ houses and take tests and eat bacon butts,’ Mitchell said. ‘The Lions have always been at the top. I was so excited to watch that game.
‘To get the opportunity to go on that tour and play for the Lions would be a huge honor. It’s always been a goal, but I’ll achieve it one week at a time.
‘We’ll have to work hard to replicate the last 18 months and hopefully do more.’
