ELL OF AN ISSUE
England star Ellis Genge OUT of Australia and South Africa Autumn Internationals after another positive Covid-19 test
ELLIS GENGE is OUT of England's huge autumn games against Australia and South Africa after a shock Covid positive test.
The vice-captain and loosehead prop found out the news on Friday morning.
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And that means that uncapped rookie Bevan Rodd, who only came into camp on Wednesday, starts against the Wallabies with tighthead Trevor Davison the only cover for the other side of the scrum.
It is England's third positive test in a week following on from Joe Marler and captain Owen Farrell's false positive.
Ahead of England's clash with Australia on Saturday, boss Eddie Jones said: "Everyone has mixed emotions. I was watching the players come through this morning.
"Some are disappointed for Ellis, others are angry and others just want to get on with it. We had a short team meeting this morning.
"Owen and the senior players spoke really well, we got everyone back on the same page and just got on with it. It's a chance to show what strength we have as a team.
"Now we support these two young guys coming through and everyone will just have to step up a little bit. We just treat it as normal now. Every day is an adventure and we're on bit of a rollercoaster at the moment.
"Covid keeps coming. We just accept it and get on with it. It's a great opportunity for a young guy like Bevan Rodd to play his fist Test at Twickenham against one of our arch enemies Australia.
"We've got the greatest confidence in him and Trevor's been in our squad since summer now and deserves the opportunity off the bench.
"So while we're disappointed for Ellis because he's such an important part of our team, it's a great opportunity for the team to step up and for those two young players to step up."
Genge and Marler are now both in isolation, but Marler at least will be able to face The Springboks a week on Saturday.
Jones said of fans' favourite Genge: "Ellis is enormously disappointed - he is vice captain of this team and loves playing against Australia and loves the challenge of playing at Twickenham.
"He will rebound. It would be an interesting isolation if he and Marler were together, fortunately they are not, because we might only end up with one coming out. He is not sick at all, which is obviously the frustrating thing for him."
And with rookie Rodd coming in, Jones added: "He is a very good young player and I have watched him closely for the last 12 months.
"We brought him into the summer squad and we played Ellis and Ben Obano - so I have been watching his progress.
"He is a fantastic defensive player, a very good chop tackler and a strong scrummager. He has a really good attitude to work and be part of the team. The response the team gave him when he was announced as a starting member was quite emotional, mate."
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