Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot tests positive for coronavirusSkills coach Jason Ryles staying in Australia until summerEngland’s pre-Six Nations preparations have been further disrupted with Eddie Jones and two of his assistants forced to self-isolate for 10 days following a Covid outbreak among the squad’s coaching staff. Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has tested positive for the virus while Jones and his attack coach Simon Amor have been identified as contacts and must also isolate until 27 January.
With the 2021 Six Nations championship due to kick off on 6 February, it means all three coaches will have to miss the start of England’s scheduled training camp next week, due to be held at St Georges Park near Burton-upon-Trent. With the RFU having already announced this week that skills coach Jason Ryles is staying in Australia and will not be working during the Six Nations either, it leaves John Mitchell as the only original member of the coaching panel currently still available for active on-site duty.