Jonny May tests positive for Covid-19 as England dealt immediate setback on Australia tour

Setback: England wing Jonny May has tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Australia
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Will Macpherson24 June 2022

England have suffered a significant blow on arrival for their tour in Australia, with Jonny May almost certainly out of next Saturday’s first Test against the Wallabies having tested positive for Covid-19.

Gloucester wing May reported symptoms and subsequently tested positive in Perth, where Eddie Jones’ team arrived this week.

Western Australia has taken an infamously hard-line approach to tackling the virus, and a seven-day mandatory isolation period remains in place there.

That would leave May with no time to train before the first Test on July 2 at Optus Stadium, which is normally used for AFL and cricket matches.

England’s other wing options in the touring squad are Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga, as well as the uncapped Tommy Freeman, Guy Porter and Henry Arundell.

It is another setback for May, who made his long-awaited return from injury in Sunday’s embarrassing 52-21 defeat by a 14-man Barbarians side, conceding a penalty try and being sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on at Twickenham.

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