Smith on stand-by for No.10 role after Farrell tests positive

ENGLAND have encountered a major setback on the eve of their Autumn Nations Series clash with Tonga after captain Owen Farrell tested positive for Covid.

Although he has not been definitively ruled out of today’s Twickenham showdown pending the outcome of further lateral flow and PCR tests, his involvement is in grave doubt.

All players and staff underwent a round of PCR testing on Thursday after a member of Eddie Jones’ backroom staff produced a positive result, but only Farrell has come back as a confirmed case.

Farrell is isolating until England discover the outcome of his latest batch of tests in the hope his sample was a false-positive.

A statement released by the Rugby Football Union said that preparations for England’s first match against Tonga outside a World Cup are otherwise continuing as planned, but this setback causes significant disruption.

Apart from the prospect of losing their captain and a senior player who escaped Jones’ recent purge of his old guard, England know their options at fly-half are thin because of the leg injury incurred by Marcus Smith.

Jones had planned to start Smith at fly-half with Farrell operating at inside centre in a dual playmaker partnership, but Smith has been unable to train fully so far this week because of his injury.

The Harlequins sensation was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench in the hope that he would prove his fitness, but he could now be thrust into the starting XV.

The only other fly-half option in the matchday 23 is replacement George Furbank, who Jones sees as a full-back who can cover 10.

England forwards coach Richard Cockerill refused to disclose the contingency plan at fly-half and for the captaincy if Farrell is ruled out, although he confirmed that Smith trained fully yesterday morning.

“Owen’s in isolation. We’re going through the normal protocols. He’s fine. We’re just waiting to see what happens next. If Owen is available, he will play,” Cockerill said.

“Hopefully he’ll be good to play for us, but at this point we’ll just have to wait and see.”