Eddie set to make late call on Farrell

ENGLAND believe Owen Farrell will be cleared to face Scotland today but he will have until an hour before kick-off to pass a fitness test on his leg injury. When the team had their final training session at Twickenham yesterday, their vice-captain, inside centre and primary goal-kicker was unable to take part. Farrell’s absence raised concerns that he would be ruled out of the Calcutta Cup clash, with Ben Te’o on standby to take over at 12. However, sources have indicated to Sportsmail that Farrell’s injury is a ‘slight dead leg’ and that he will line up in midfield. In the unlikely event that a back-up plan is required, Te’o would start, with Jonny May added to the bench reserves and Elliot Daly designated to provide fly-half cover in the event of a later injury to George Ford. Farrell was injured in a collision during training on Thursday and his Saracens understudy Alex Lozowski was seen at the team hotel, although England denied that he was on active duty with the squad. The decision not to bring in another playmaker as a contingency further suggested that head coach Eddie Jones and his assistants expect Farrell to recover. Speaking after training yesterday, defence coach Paul Gustard said: ‘Owen didn’t train today and we’re monitoring his leg injury. We have until tomorrow before kick-off to make a decision, which means he has at least another 24 hours of recovery ahead of him. We’ll make a call as and when we know more. We’re not bringing anyone in.’ Jones: options in midfield Scotland have not beaten England at Twickenham since 1983 but they are optimistic about their prospects today and insist victory would not constitute a shock. Full-back Stuart Hogg said: ‘We’re more than capable of winning. We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen. Nothing is going to stand in our way.’