Coronavirus hands Eddie a selection worry

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has released seven players from his squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales.

The England coach had called up a 34-strong squad on Monday to train ahead of the round four Twickenham encounter.

However, seven players were let go on Tuesday, including Saracens prop Mako Vunipola who didn’t make an appearance at the camp.

Vunipola was placed in self-isolation as a precaution due to coronavirus fears after flying back from Tonga via Hong Kong.

The 29-year-old was advised to self-isolate under the current NHS guidelines.

“Mako is not in camp on medical grounds. He is not sick, but it is a precaution,” an RFU spokesperson said.

There have been 51 coronavirus cases in the UK, while the first confirmed case of the virus in Hong Kong occurred on January 23.

The other players released by Jones to their clubs ahead of a full programme of Premiership action were Exeter trio Harry Williams, Jack Maunder and Ollie Thorley, Bath’s Tom Dunn, Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley and Wasps’ Jacob Umaga.

England squad:

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson

Backs: Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, George Furbank, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs