ENGLAND have been hit by the loss of vice-captain Jamie George for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 1, with Alex Mitchell also a doubt for the Dublin showdown.

Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Champions Cup defeat by Castres on Sunday and will miss the start of the tournament, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed.

Northampton scrum-half Mitchell sustained a knee problem against Munster on Saturday but could yet feature against Ireland after being taken to the squad’s pre-Championship training camp in Girona to continue his rehabilitation.