Owen Farrell: England captain tests positive for Covid-19 before Tonga Test
Britain commander Owen Farrell has tried positive for Covid-19 just before Saturday's Autumn Nations Series opener against Tonga.
Farrell will miss preparing on Friday yet the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said he might in any case have the option to play the match.
The 30-year-old is detaching and will step through additional exams on Friday.
On Thursday an individual from England support staff tried positive however the RFU says "Britain are proceeding with arrangements" for Saturday's match at Twickenham.
An assertion added that any remaining players and staff had gotten adverse outcomes after a further round of testing on Thursday.
Farrell is because of start at fly-half, with Marcus Smith on the seat after he missed a few instructional courses this week with a minor leg injury.
Smith may now be brought in to begin and, with George Ford avoided with regard to the fall crew, substitution George Furbank could propose back-up at 10.
Advances mentor Richard Cockerill wouldn't affirm who might fill in should Farrell's next test return positive as well, yet affirmed that Smith had prepared completely on Friday morning.
"We're simply holding on to perceive what occurs straightaway," Cockerill said. "In case Owen is accessible, he will play. That's all there is to it.
"We have a strong gathering and this is a decent test to ensure that, whatever occurs, we perform and do precisely what we need to do."
At the point when found out if Ford would be brought in as crisis cover, Cockerill answered: "[Head coach] Eddie [Jones] will settle on those choices - he's the person who settles on those decisions. As and when, and if suitable, Eddie will do what he sees fit."
Cockerill said that Furbank was "an awesome choice whenever required", adding he "has prepared in that situation for the most recent few weeks".
"He's an exceptionally skilled player who has incredible impulses and I think he'll take it in his step," Cockerill said.
Britain: Steward; Radwan, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes, Underhill, Curry.
