England will be without Shaunagh Brown for first game of World Cup

England prop Shaunagh Brown will miss the opening game of the World Cup against Fiji on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19.

The 32-year-old must self-isolate for seven days under the current regulations in New Zealand.

England Rugby revealed Brown was sharing a room with Sadia Kabeya, who tested positive for the virus last week.

An England Rugby statement read: “Shaunagh Brown has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now undertaking a seven-day isolation period as required by New Zealand Government regulation.

“Brown had been sharing a room with Sadia Kabeya, who returned a positive test last week and has now completed her seven-day isolation period.”