Unjabbed stars can be picked
COVID vaccination will not be compulsory for England players to be selected for the upcoming autumn Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa. While the RFU are encouraging players to have jabs — as part of a drive towards an 85 per cent vaccination target — it is understood that a minority are reluctant and their stance will not prevent them from being picked by Eddie Jones. It is felt that a rigorous testing regime will safeguard fixtures. Faf de Klerk may miss South Africa’s autumn Test campaign, as Sale fear he has a hip injury, which the Springbok scrum-half sustained during the Lions series. He played in the Rugby Championship but has come back to the UK with it aggravated, so his club are nervously awaiting scan results. ‘There are concerns it could be months but we need confirmation,’ said Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson. ‘We have to wait for assessments. They (the medics) want to see it all before they make a decision about rehab, surgery or crack on. Those are three options.’ Meanwhile, Wales are considering a recall for Scarlets centre Scott Williams after two years out. Wayne Pivac names his squad for the autumn series today.