Six Nations: England’s Joe Marchant tests positive for Covid-19

Planet Rugby

England's Joe Marchant during a training session at Twickenham Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday November 5, 2021.

England have suffered another setback ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland after Joe Marchant returned a positive Covid-19 test.

The Harlequins utility back’s case was confirmed by lateral flow and PCR tests on Friday and he will be sidelined at least for the start of the training week at England‘s base in Surrey.

Several other England players also sidelined

Marchant, who can play at outside centre and wing, was set to feature in the Murrayfield Test as England contend with several injuries at the moment.

It throws his participation in the Calcutta Cup clash into doubt, while prop Joe Marler also remains in self-isolation because of coronavirus.

Northampton back Tommy Freeman has been ruled out by a hamstring injury, but he was unlikely to play any part against Scotland.

Plugging the gaps created in head coach Eddie Jones’ 37-man Six Nations squad are wings Louis Lynagh and Adam Radwan.

Courtney Lawes remains a doubt as he continues to recover from the concussion sustained for Northampton against Ulster earlier in the month and Nick Isiekwe is to stay with England for the week as cover.

Having lost Owen Farrell to ankle surgery for the entire Championship, Jones will be hoping that Lawes recovers with the Lions flanker likely to deputise as captain.

England also have fitness concerns of varying degrees over wings Jonny May and Anthony Watson, centres Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade, lock Jonny Hill and flanker Sam Underhill.

May and Watson will play no part in the Six Nations, Tuilagi and Underhill should feature at some point and Hill and Slade could be available for the Scotland game.

READ MORE: England coach Eddie Jones issues warning to Scotland

 

video thumbnail

England prop Kyle Sinckler ahead of the Six Nations

England tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler speaks to Planet Rugby's James While.