England captain Owen Farrell is a doubt for their match against Tonga on Saturday after returning a positive COVID-19 test.
The Rugby Football Union said in a statement on Friday that Farrell would miss the Captain’s Run training session ahead of the game due to the result. The news comes after an England staff member was placed into isolation on Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19.
Farrell has been placed in isolation and will take another PCR test and a lateral flow test.
An update is expected on Farrell later on Friday.
“All other player and staff PCR test results received are negative and England are continuing preparations for tomorrow’s match against Tonga,” the RFU said in a statement.
If Farrell does return another positive result, then he will be a doubt for England’s next match against Australia due to the mandatory 10-day quarantine period.
Farrell was originally picked to start at fly-half against Tonga, but if he is ruled out, then Marcus Smith is expected to get the nod at No.10.
His potential absence would also mean Eddie Jones would need to pick a new captain.