Eddie Jones CAN select unjabbed England stars for upcoming Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa – after a minority resisted calls by the RFU and Premiership clubs to be vaccinated against Covid
- RFU set 85 per cent vaccination target for clubs and urged players to have jabs
- Some are reluctant and that will not stop them from being picked by England
- The RFU believe that a rigorous testing regime will safeguard fixtures
Covid vaccination will not be compulsory for England players to be selected for the upcoming autumn Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa.
While the RFU are encouraging players to have jabs — as part of a drive towards an 85 per cent vaccination target — it is understood that a minority are reluctant and their stance will not prevent them from being picked by Eddie Jones.
It is felt that a rigorous testing regime will safeguard fixtures.
England head coach Eddie Jones can select unjabbed stars for upcoming autumn Tests
Faf de Klerk may miss South Africa’s autumn Test campaign, as Sale fear he has a hip injury, which the Springbok scrum-half sustained during the Lions series. He played in the Rugby Championship but has come back to the UK with it aggravated, so his club are nervously awaiting scan results.
‘There are concerns it could be months but we need confirmation,’ said Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson.
‘We have to wait for assessments. They (the medics) want to see it all before they make a decision about rehab, surgery or crack on. Those are three options.’
Meanwhile, Wales are considering a recall for Scarlets centre Scott Williams after two years out. Wayne Pivac names his squad for the autumn series today.