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England captain Owen Farrell has tested positive for COVID-19 and is a major doubt for the upcoming clash with Tonga.
The 30-year-old has gone into isolation after receiving a positive PCR test result and is absent from England’s training session on Friday, but he still has a chance of featuring on Saturday, according to the Rugby Football Union.
England confirmed that – aside from one member of support staff – all their other players and staff had returned negative test results on Thursday, and Farrell will be tested again.
The England skipper was set to start the Autumn Nations Series opener at fly-half, with George Ford not named in the squad and Marcus Smith struggling with an injury.
If Farrell is unable to feature, George Furbank is the most natural replacement, although Henry Slade could also move across to take his spot.