Eddie Jones: England coach says three players could withdraw from training squad

Eddie Jones has revealed England are sweating on three players who might have to withdraw from the national training camp due to coronavirus concerns.

Head coach Jones named a much-changed 28-man squad comprising 12 uncapped players on Monday.

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England’s players have met up ahead of a busy October and November, which will see them compete in the Six Nations and play in an Autumn Nations Cup.

Jones was already unable to select players from the Premiership’s top four sides due to the upcoming semi-finals, but also Sale and Worcester due to the rearranged clash following the Sharks’ 19 positive Covid cases.

However, by Tuesday morning, England boss Jones was forced to concede three further players could have to withdraw from the makeshift national squad.

Refusing to name the players under threat of withdrawing from the squad, Jones admitted England will continue to monitor the situation.

Asked how much the Sale situation could disrupt England, Jones said: “Well, I really don’t know what’s happened, all I try to do is select the players that are available, so that’s all I’ve been worried about.

“We’re looking at three players today whether they will be available to be selected, we’ll find out this morning and then we’ll just wait and see.

“Look, I think this is going to be the way it is at the moment.

“I just saw in the football England had three players unavailable this morning, they can’t go into Gareth Southgate’s camp.

“It’s a fact of life at the moment, that’s what we have to deal with, we can’t get too worried about it, we’re not too obsessed about it.

“We’ll just take the players that are available, and work with those players.”

Jones: We have to ride with any Covid-19 disruption

Premiership side Sale have been forced to deny claims the string of positive coronavirus cases at the club stemmed from players flouting social distancing rules.

Sale have named their side for Wednesday night’s re-arranged game versus Worcester – but concede if they return one additional positive test, they will forfeit the game.

The two sides’ game was postponed from Sunday after Sale returned 19 positives, (16 players and 3 staff), and the club are subject to an RFU investigation into their protocols.

England boss Jones said he has not been appraised fully of events at Sale, but admitted the Covid-19 impact remains unavoidable.

“It’s a fact of life at the moment, that’s what we have to deal with, we can’t get too worried about it, we’re not too obsessed about it,” said Jones.

“We’ll just take the players that are available, and work with those players.

“We’ve just got to ride with whatever happens at the moment.

“It’s a matter of adapting, there’s going to be more changes, and we anticipate that, so we’ve just got to ride with it, work out what we can do, work out what we can’t do, and take it on board.”

‘We will give young players the opportunity’

England will start a packed schedule with the non-cap international clash against the Barbarians, before completing the delayed Six Nations and moving onto the new Autumn Nations Cup.

Jones would typically be without his frontline stars for the Barbarians game, given the standard clash with the Premiership final.

He said recent adjustments he has been forced to make have meant fringe and uncapped players have been thrust into international contention.

“Traditionally this camp has always been about giving opportunities to young players and having chances to see new people,” said Jones.

“You get teams that aren’t in the Premiership semi-finals, so you get a smattering of young guys.

“It’s the same now, and so it’s a great opportunity for them to raise their hands and see how far they can go with selection.”

(c) Sky Sports 2020: Eddie Jones: England coach says three players could withdraw from training squad