England focus on Wales as coronavirus hits schedule

England are refusing to allow escalating fears over the spread of the coronavirus to disrupt the final two rounds of their Guinness Six Nations title challenge.

Eddie Jones’ side are due to visit Rome on the final day of the Championship on 14 March but that game looks in growing danger of being postponed, with Italy in the grip of a mounting crisis. Ireland’s clash with Italy in Dublin on Saturday 7 March was called off yesterday.

England are preparing for their encounter with Wales on Saturday week at a three-day camp in Oxford, and assistant coach Steve Borthwick, pictured, insists it is business as usual. “It’s not a distraction,” he said. “The squad are together and looking forward to twoand-a-half days of training together and improving. We want to move forward again. That’s what we’re concentrating on.”

Anthony Watson is back in contention for the Wales game after being named in the 25-man training squad. Bath and Lions wing Watson has yet to make an appearance in the Championship because of a calf problem but could be available for the visit of Wayne Pivac’s men to Twickenham.

“Anthony is progressing well. He’s been doing his rehab and was running earlier in the week. We’re monitoring him day by day to make sure you get the right balance in his training,” Borthwick said. “The Wales game is still nine or 10 days so we’ll just monitor it on a daily basis.”

Also among the 25 is Sale back row Mark Wilson, who is making his first appearance in an England squad in this Six Nations as he continues his comeback from a knee problem.

“Mark looks in good shape. He’s been back on the field for Sale. He’ll train with us over the next few days and we’ll see where he’s at,” Borthwick said. “He brings an incredible workrate, and has a fantastic attitude as a professional.”

Prop Mako Vunipola and hooker Luke Cowan-dickie are missing for family reasons, but rookie full-back George Furbank is back in camp to continue his rehabilitation from the groin problem that forced him to miss the 24-12 rout of Ireland.