CHAOS AS FARRELL IS STRUCK BY COVID
ENGLAND’S autumn plans were thrown into chaos yesterday after skipper Owen Farrell tested positive for Covid-19. It means George Furbank is likely to be handed the No10 jersey ahead of Marcus Smith at Twickenham today against Tonga.
Unless secondary tests prove Farrell’s case to be a ‘false positive’, the fly-half must self-isolate for ten days, ruling him out of the opener against Tonga and next week’s showdown with Australia. Flanker Courtney Lawes declared himself ready to take over the captaincy today.
Despite operating under strict Covid protocols, England have suffered two positive cases this week, through Farrell and a member of support staff.
In desperation, Farrell was sent for a second PCR test yesterday with the faint hope that he could still feature this afternoon.
It is a major disruption to Eddie Jones’ campaign planning, as the head coach must now surely wait until the final Test against the Springboks to try out the new Smith-Farrell axis.
Despite Smith being the only specialist ten remaining in the squad, Furbank is primed to take up the starting role as Smith has played a limited role in training due to injury.
‘Furbank’s obviously trained in that position for the last couple of weeks,’ said assistant coach Richard Cockerill. ‘He’s played there before for his club. He’s a very talented player who has great instincts and I think he’ll take it in his stride. We’ve got no concerns with our options in that position.
‘Whoever starts and finishes there is more than capable of doing what we need them to do.’
England named three assistant captains — Lawes, Ellis Genge and Tom Curry — at Thursday’s team announcement.
Lawes is the most experienced candidate and the Northampton Saints player claimed last night that he is ready to lead the team if called upon.
‘I’ve only been skipper for a few games, but I generally have been in and amongst the leadership group with England and Saints for the last three or four years,’ said Lawes. ‘I don’t generally ask to be captain. I prefer playing that role of support for the skipper. I’ve got lots of experience and I can hopefully help drive the team in positive directions but generally I like to do it from the background.
‘I think that’s just part of my personality but if I have to step up and be skipper like I have for Saints in the past, then I’m happy to do that. I’d be very honoured to do it.’