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England lose another player for World Cup opener

By AAP
Ellie Kildunne, Shaunagh Brown and Leanne Infante of England look on during the National Anthems ahead of the Women's International match between England Red Roses and USA at Sandy Park on September 03, 2022 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Harry Trump - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Shaunagh Brown will miss England's opening match of the women's Rugby World Cup against Fiji after testing positive for COVID-19.

Prop Brown, who will have to stay in isolation for seven days, is the second England player to test positive for the virus after roommate Sadia Kabeya, who has completed her isolation period.

There were no further positive cases after players and staff in New Zealand were tested on Friday, the team said.

England play their opener against Fiji on Saturday (2.45pm AEDT), the opening day of the tournament.

South Africa will kick the tournament off against France (12.15pm AEDT), while Australia face hosts New Zealand at Eden Park on the same day (5.15pm AEDT).