England hopeful over Owen Farrell return

Planet Rugby

England believe that fly-half Owen Farrell could well be available to face Australia, despite a positive coronavirus test ruling him out of the game against Tonga.

The Red Rose’s preparations were hampered leading into Saturday’s encounter when a member of the backroom staff returned a positive test on Thursday.

That was followed by the England skipper who, under government guidelines, must quarantine for 10 days, but discussions with Public Health England continue.

Wing Jonny May suggested that it was a false positive, which means that the 30-year-old could be able to feature in the match with the Wallabies.

Farrell’s withdrawal was announced only 90 minutes before kick-off but head coach Eddie Jones refused to rule him out of next weekend’s clash.

Awaiting further guidance

“It’s very clear and very simple. We are just following the Covid regulations and protocols and are awaiting further guidance,” Jones said.

“It is not my decision, it is Public Health’s, so we leave it to them and we are just waiting. We have done everything we are supposed to do.

“We knew 100 per cent he wasn’t going to be involved this (Saturday) morning and in terms of when he’s going to get out, if you could give a ring to Public Health England that would be most appreciated.”

May grabbed two tries against the outgunned Tongans in the 69-3 victory, but admitted he woke up fearing the match would be called off if additional PCR testing revealed a more extensive outbreak.

“It was stressful. It’s hard enough preparing for a Test match without all of that,” May said.

“On Thursday morning we have got a positive in the camp, we are about to train and we have all got to go back to our rooms and all have to PCR and lateral flow and we are not sure if we are going to train.

“In 20 minutes the message comes out we have got to race down and get training, all PCR, everybody is nervous…what if a positive comes back? Are we going to get a game in?

“Then Owen has obviously got a positive test back, it looks by all accounts to be a false positive and that is a different discussion.

“I was worried about coming down to breakfast this morning and the game not being on if we had had a few more positives. To perform under those conditions and distractions is credit to the team.

“It didn’t knock us off our stride but it was a distraction that we dealt with well. It was challenging.”

The void created at fly-half by Farrell’s absence was initially filled by George Furbank, who showed some neat touches despite playing the majority of his rugby at full-back.

And Marcus Smith picked up the baton when he replaced Furbank in the third quarter, celebrating his third cap by scoring a try and setting up two more in a high-octane cameo.

“It was a difficult game for those two guys because the bulk of training at 10 has been done by Owen in the last two weeks,” Jones said.

“They both acquitted themselves well and we are really pleased with their progress.”

Johnny Sexton basks in “special” 100th Test

Meanwhile, Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton admitted that it was an emotional occasion after he scored a try on his 100th cap and received a rapturous reception upon being taken off.

The 36-year-old played a key role in his country’s 60-5 demolition of Japan by scoring 16 points, which included a 48th minute try.

“It was a very special moment for me – it’s up there with the best moments of my career,” Sexton said of his 48th-minute touch down.

“There was an incredible ovation and then I saw my family, I knew where they were sitting before the game, and they were just smiling.”