JONES ISSUES RALLYING CRY AS MAY OUT WITH COVID

EDDIE JONES has urged England to ‘become a special team’ in Australia after he lost Jonny May to a positive Covid-19 test within days of arriving Down Under. The wing, 32, is now unlikely to feature in the first Test in Perth a week today after being forced into isolation under Western Australia government rules. Head coach Jones yesterday refused to rule May out of the opener to the three Test series, but the Gloucester back’s chances of featuring at Optus Stadium now appear slim as he requires seven days in isolation. ‘We’re not going to rule Jonny out at this stage,’ Jones said. ‘We’ll just see how he is. Potentially he’ll be available to train next Thursday, so we’ll have a look to see what he’s like. ‘He showed in his first game back against the Barbarians, where he’s lacking game time, that he’s got his best rugby ahead of him.

‘We’ll just monitor his situation and make an assessment closer to the day when he gets out. ‘We’ve got a couple of others from the finals who haven’t been able to get on the paddock yet, but we’re hopeful everyone will be able to train by Monday.’ May crossed on his international return against the Barbarians after missing the Six Nations with a knee injury. It was only his second game since January 8. His likely absence means Joe Cokanasiga and Jack Nowell are the leading contenders to start on the wings, with Tommy Freeman also an option. Jones yesterday said he expected Australia to approach the series with a strong kicking game, which could mean a wing berth for Freddie Steward. Steward — who has excelled at full-back for Leicester and England this season — started the final Six Nations game with France on the wing.

‘I’m sure Australia won’t be encouraging too many lineouts. Their pattern against us is that they don’t kick out,’ Jones said. ‘That’ll bring Freddie into the game, I’ve never seen a young guy develop as much as he has. ‘Australia is a place where you can become a special team. It’s a great opportunity to be part of something special.

‘If we win the first Test we put ourselves in a good position to win the series.’ England’s full squad only congregated at 5am yesterday after travel problems meant they had to fly to Australia on four separate flights.

Jones plans to hold his team’s first big training session ahead of the first Test.

‘We’re going to have to be really aggressive against the Aussies because they come at you,’ Jones said. ‘In every sporting event where the Aussies are successful, they’re coming at you. We’ve got to make sure we go at them, which takes a lot of courage.’