Big loss for England's Six Nations campaign

NEWS: England will be without Australian skills coach Jason Ryles for the Six Nations rugby tournament after he opted against travelling to Europe with his family during the pandemic.

The English Rugby Football Union said Monday it hopes Ryles will be able to link up with the coaching team for England's test matches in June and July.

Ryles, who is an assistant coach at Melbourne Storm, replaced Steve Borthwick as one of Eddie Jones' England assistants last year. Jones had Ryles mainly working with the forwards.

England will begin its preparations for the Six Nations next week, the RFU said.

The team's opening game is at home to Scotland on February 6.