JONES IN COVID SCARE
England’s Six Nations plans disrupted with coach forced to isolate
ENGLAND’S Six Nations plans have been seriously disrupted after coach Eddie Jones was forced to isolate because one of his assistants has tested positive for Covid-19.
However, despite the shock news, coaches in other countries are sure the tournament will begin in a fortnight.
Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot was found by England’s testing programme to have the virus on Monday, meaning Jones, 60, and attack coach Simon Amor will have to isolate for 10 days.
Proudfoot is understood to be asymptomatic and did not return to South Africa after the Autumn Nations Cup, remaining in Britain.
However, as close contacts, Jones and Amor will miss the start of England’s first training camp next week.
Jones will pick his tournament squad as normal tomorrow evening and the group will then gather at St George’s Park, the England football training centre, next Wednesday.
But while he awaits the result of another test over the next few days, Jones will have to conduct meetings virtually until next Thursday at the earliest.
Proudfoot’s positive test is another blow to England’s Six Nations preparations after skills coach Jason Ryles was unable to travel to Europe. He is stuck in his native Australia due to the lockdown. To replace Ryles, Jones has called up Ed Robinson, the 27-year-old Jersey Reds assistant and son of former England boss Andy, saying: ‘He’s a talented young coach and will work to help the players improve.’
As virus cases rise, Six Nations’ Covid protocols will be strengthened. Each side will be tested twice a week and again 72 hours before trips to France and Italy.
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend, who brings his side to Twickenham on February 6, believes this and other measures will help.
‘Every competing nation and the organisers believe the tournament will go ahead as planned,’ he said. ‘Hopefully the tournament will proceed and be completed in the normal time. But things have changed over the past 12 months. We have a massive responsibility to keep the virus out.’
In Wales, coach Wayne Pivac added: ‘In our group, we had 700-odd tests throughout the autumn and they all came back negative.
‘We’re doing everything we can to mitigate the risks. We’ve got a saying in our group: “Covid throws up chaos, change — we’ve got to be able to adapt”.’
Meanwhile, Harlequins have sacked director of rugby Paul Gustard after winning just two English Premiership games this season.