1
England statement: Owen Farrell a 'false positive'
By Kim Ekin
England's Owen Farrell is set to re-enter the training camp after a positive coronavirus test has been found to have been a 'false positive'.
Farrell was forced to watch the opening instalment of the Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham from isolation at the squad’s base in Surrey.
Under Government guidelines, the England captain had to quarantine for 10 days but Eddie Jones insisted discussions with Public Health England were ongoing after wing Jonny May suggested the case is a false-positive.
Farrell’s withdrawal was announced only 90 minutes before kick-off and Jones refused to rule him out when the Wallabies arrive next weekend.
Now England have confirmed that test was inaccurate. An RFU statement reads: "Owen Farrell will re-join the England squad at Pennyhill Park later today [Sunday 7 November].
"Farrell returned a positive test result from a COVID PCR test (taken on Thursday morning) and immediately went into self-isolation.
"The sample was reviewed by the lab and determined as a false positive test on Saturday morning and subsequently accepted by NHS Test and Trace today. This process is fully in line with the advice given by UK Health Security Agency.
"His subsequent PCRs have also been negative and therefore he has been released from self-isolation.
"The England squad are preparing for their next Test match against Australia [Saturday 13 November, 5.30pm KO]."
Marcus Smith’s artful 29-minute cameo strengthened the case for him starting against the resurgent Wallabies and if Farrell’s case is confirmed as a false-positive, then he will undoubtedly start at inside centre.
But Manu Tuilagi and Slade formed a balanced and effective centre partnership and it is hard to see on what grounds either should make way for Farrell. Jones is loathe to drop Farrell, who is lucky to have escaped the recent cull of old-guard as George Ford has been in superior form, but the fireworks evident against Tonga must surely challenge the Australian’s loyalty to his skipper.
- additional reporting by PA
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
3
Exclusive RugbyPass interview: Toulon co-captain David Ribbans
4
'One of the deadliest wingers in rugby' has decided his future
5
Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
Go to comments