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England coaches Matt Proudfoot and Eddie Jones. PA
Setback

Eddie Jones self-isolating after England forwards coach tests positive for Covid-19

England are due to gather for their pre-Six Nations camp next week.

ENGLAND FORWARDS COACH Matt Proudfoot has tested positive for Covid-19 and is set to miss the start of their Six Nations preparation.

Head coach Eddie Jones and attack coach Simon Amor have been identified as close contacts and are now due to miss the first day of England’s camp next week.

The reigning Six Nations champions are due to gather in Newcastle on Wednesday 27 January but Jones and Amor are set to join the group on 28 January as they must self-isolate for a 10-day period, in accordance with UK government guidelines.

Defence coach John Mitchell will be the only permanent member England’s coaching staff present for the first day of the camp next week. 

Jason Ryles had been due to join as skills coach but he and his family have remained in Australia due to the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. The RFU has confirmed that Jersey Reds assistant coach Ed Robinson – the son of former England boss Andy – will instead join England for the Six Nations to provide support on skills coaching.

Proudfoot, meanwhile, is not displaying any symptoms following his positive test but it remains unclear when he will link in with the England squad.

England are due to get their 2021 championship campaign underway against Scotland at Twickenham in London on Saturday 6 February.

While Six Nations organisers have said that the championship will go ahead as currently scheduled, the French government still has to confirm a final decision on whether its national team will be permitted to travel for away games in Ireland and England.

French authorities have given the green light for les Bleus to visit Rome for their opening game against Italy on 6 February, but have not yet confirmed approval for the other away games. A decision is expected by the end of this week.

It may not have helped that the France U20 squad have reported seven positive Covid-19 cases in their squad after travelling to Faro in Portugal for a training camp, according to RMC Sport.

The U20 Six Nations was postponed until later this year but France opted to play against Italy before travelling to their camp in Portugal.

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