The Rugby Football union reported that England captain Owen Farrell had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Farrell is likely to miss Saturday’s test between Twickenham and Tonga.
The RFU confirmed Farrell would not attend Friday’s training as he is still in isolation, after returning a positive PCR test. They said he will have a lateral flow and another PCR test on Friday. Luckily, the other players and staff PCR results tested negative.
Farrell was to start at flyhalf, but due to his absence, Marcus Smith is likely to get the start. Marcus Smith was among the named replacements after missing some training sessions this week, due to a leg injury.
This would have been the only Farell’s fourth start at fly-half during his last 16 England games. He was set to win his 100th test cap this includes the 94th for England and 6 tests for the British and Irish Lions.
Coach Eddie’s initial plan was to use Farell at the inside center. However, after Smith was unable to get the full training, he said it was hard to run the team around the paddock when someone does not train. Smith made his appearance in summer at the end of a tremendous season for Premiership champions Harlequins.
If Smith gets promoted to the starting team, Northampton’s George Furbank is already on the bench for the Tonga match. Furbank plays fullback and fly half, and is set to provide the cover for position number 10.
Jones delayed naming his team on Thursday after the RFU reported a positive test for an unnamed staff member.