Charlie Atkinson replaces injured Fin Smith in England training squad

England have called Gloucester fly-half Charlie Atkinson into their training squad after an injury prevented Fin Smith from taking part in preparations for the Nations Championship. An RFU statement carried by Planet Rugby confirmed that the Northampton player would continue his rehabilitation with England, while Atkinson joined Steve Borthwick's group in his place.

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The change affects the 36-player squad assembled for a three-day camp at Pennyhill Park, where training runs until Tuesday, 27 October. Atkinson has previous experience of the senior set-up and England A. Planet Rugby reported that he earned his first Test cap against the United States in July 2025 and has attended several senior camps.

Smith is not the only player receiving treatment with the national squad. Planet Rugby reported that Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Seb Atkinson and Guy Pepper were also following rehabilitation programmes in camp. George Ford and Marcus Smith remain among the backs listed in the revised training group, giving Borthwick other established fly-half options while Fin Smith recovers.

TNT Sports reported that Smith's problem concerns his calf and that he is due to be assessed again on Tuesday. He played in Northampton's defeat at Leicester over the weekend. His replacement for this camp does not establish how long he will be unavailable, and no confirmed return date was given in the report.

There are also returning faces elsewhere in the provisional squad. TNT Sports noted that Tom and Ben Curry were both included after starting together for Sale against Newcastle on Friday, their first such club start since June 2025. Joe Marchant is available for England again after joining Sale; his move to Stade Francais had made him ineligible following the 2023 World Cup.

England's next Nations Championship fixture is against Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on 8 November, followed by Japan and New Zealand on successive weekends. According to TNT Sports, England stand third in the northern hemisphere table behind France and Scotland after wins against Argentina and Fiji and a defeat by South Africa in their opening three matches.