The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will keep England 's 34-man squad together for the rest of the autumn internationals rather than release players back to Premiership clubs following a review of its Covid-19 protocols.
The Telegraph reported the choice was made after England confirmed on Tuesday that loosehead prop Joe Marler had tested positive for the coronavirus and will serve a 10-day isolation period.
Marler, 31, is understood to be symptomatic and will miss Saturday's crunch clash against Australia at Twickenham, forcing head coach Eddie Jones into a late reshuffle as he prepares to face his home nation.
Players not selected as part of a matchday squad are often released back to clubs for training and game practice, but England have opted to keep all players close for their last two autumn fixtures.
It comes after captain Owen Farrell tested positive for Covid-19 last Friday and was forced to sit out Saturday's 69-3 demolition of Tonga, only for it to later emerge his result was a false positive.
England's team announcement for that clash was also delayed after a member of the coaching staff tested positive.
“At the weekend, we showed we were able to handle that disruption, if you want to call it that,” said England defence coach Anthony Seibold following news of Marler's positive diagnosis.
“I’ve been impressed with the way the group handled this morning. Yesterday, late evening, we got some news that we had to go back to our rooms. We’ve handled it in the right manner.
“We had a bit of a delayed start to the morning because we were waiting for some results, but it’s been business as usual. The group has handled that distraction, or disruption so to speak, and we had a really positive training session.”
Jones' squad were cleared to train as normal on Tuesday after returning negative lateral flow tests, with Harlequins favourite Marler the only enforced absence as things stand.
What changes would you like to see England make for the Australia Test? Let us know in the comments section.
Players were due to be granted leave to return home following Saturday's clash against the Wallabies, but the RFU is also reconsidering that option.
The Red Rose will conclude its autumn programme against South Africa the following weekend (Nov. 20), and the reigning world champions promise to be their toughest test this month after beating Wales 23-18.
Discussing one's vaccination status has become a sensitive topic for some professional athletes, particularly in team contact sports where the risk of infection is far greater.
Bath star Sam Underhill's younger sister is a doctor, and after his father was hospitalised because of Covid-19, the back-rower has been vocal in why he believes it's in everyone's best interests to get double-jabbed.
“It’s an ongoing public debate which gets into the realms of bodily autonomy and respecting individual decisions,” he said.
“The way it is, there are obviously consequences in terms of isolation lengths, contact tracing and those sorts of things.
“Personally, I think the more information there is, the more informed you are, the better… from good, reliable sources. I’m double vaccinated, so speak for myself, not anyone else. I don’t fancy getting it or giving it to any family members – anything for me that’s going to decrease that likelihood."
Fortunately for Premiership clubs, there are no more games scheduled to take place in England's first tier until November 26, meaning minimal impact on their plans.
England are operating under relaxed coronavirus -1>coronavirus restrictions due to at least 85 per cent of the squad and staff meeting the double-vaccination quota.
That means members of the squad can come and go from their Pennyhill Park base—which remains open to the public—and are free of social distancing requirements in team areas.
England finished an all-time low of fifth in this year's Six Nations when some players admitted the tight restrictions in place led to a tense atmosphere, which may well have impacted on-field performance.
A replacement for Marler looks set to be called up in the meantime, with Sale Sharks prop Bevan Rodd and Saracens star Mako Vunipola among the frontrunners to join England's camp.
