BREAKING NEWS! Owen Farrell, England’s captain, tests positive to Covid on the eve their first autumn fixture at Twickenham against Tonga











The RFU announced that Owen Farrell, England’s captain, has tested positive for Covid in advance of Saturday’s match at Twickenham against Tonga. 

After Marcus Smith of Harlequins was not deemed fit enough to play on the bench, the Saracens star was chosen to start at fly-half for Eddie Jones’ side. 

England had to delay the announcement of their team against Tonga for the autumn opener after a Covid scare. 

England captain Owen Farrell has tested positive for Covid ahead of Saturday's Tonga clash

England captain Owen Farrell tested positive for Covid before Saturday’s Tonga clash

A member of support staff performed a lateral flow test, which returned a positive result. They were placed in isolation at the Red Rose base, Surrey.

Further testing was performed on all members of the squad and their staff. All lateral flow tests were negative. England was still waiting for the results from their latest PCR tests.

RFU has stressed that all COVID protocols have been followed.

The Saracens star was picked to start at No 10 for Eddie Jones' side at Twickenham on Saturday

The Saracens star was chosen to start at No. 10 for Eddie Jones’ Twickenham side on Saturday

Saturday’s fixture – the first of three Tests this month – is meant to be taking place in front of a capacity crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham. 

It will be the first full house at national stadium since March 2013. 

All spectators at the game must present proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative test result. 

More to come. 

ENGLAND TEAM TO PLAY TONGA

ENGLAND XV15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps) 14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap) 13. Henry Slade, Exeter Chiefs (40 caps) 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 43 caps) 11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby 66 caps) 10. Owen Farrell (Saracens) 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps) 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 59 caps) 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 44 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 48 caps) 5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs) 9. Courtney Lawes (7 Northampton Saints, 9 caps) 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 24 caps) 8. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), 33 caps

FINISHERS16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins 72 caps) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby 12 caps) 19. Charlie Ewels (20 caps, Bath Rugby) 20. Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins (1 cap) 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints uncapped) 22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins. 2 caps) 23. George Furbank (Northampton Saints 4 caps). 

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