Daily Mail

Unjabbed stars can be picked

- By CHRIS FOY Rugby Correspond­ent

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.

 ?? ?? No restrictio­ns: Jones
No restrictio­ns: Jones

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