Piers Francis stepping down from England squad become latest twist in Sale virus saga
Last week's appearance off the Northampton bench by Piers Francis has seemingly cost him his England training squad spot as the midfielder has tested positive for Covid-19.
Sale's trip to Franklin's Gardens assumed unprecedented levels of notoriety when it later emerged that 16 of their players and three staff members tested positive for the virus.
The major outbreak resulted in Sale's Gallagher Premiership match at home to Worcester last Sunday getting postponed until this Wednesday while Northampton were forced to forfeit their match at Gloucester, losing 20-0 off the pitch as they were unable to fulfil the fixture due to self-isolating front rows.
That situation has now had a sequel as Saints' Francis won't now train with England this week despite being selected by Eddie Jones in a 28-strong squad announced on Monday.
An RFU statement on Tuesday evening read: "Piers Francis (Northampton Saints) will not be part of this week’s England camp because of a positive screening test for Covid-19. Francis is following relevant isolation protocols at home in line with PHE-agreed guidelines."
The sidelining of Francis is the latest twist in a chaotic end to the 2019/20 Premiership season. Sale, who avoided having to forfeit their game with Worcester, can still qualify next weekend's semi-finals, but their virus outbreak has left Northampton very frustrated.
Saints CEO Mark Darbon said in an open letter to fans on Tuesday: “The decision to forfeit our final game against Gloucester on Sunday was incredibly frustrating and not the way we wanted the season to end... to lose our final fixture as a result of an outbreak at another club is extremely disappointing."
England boss Eddie Jones had earlier revealed on Tuesday that his 28-strong squad risked reduction to 25 as three players were under scrutiny for the virus.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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