Joe Marler withdraws from England squad with Covid in latest Six Nations setback

England’s build-up to the Guinness Six Nations has been disrupted by their first outbreak of Covid after Joe Marler tested positive for the second time in three months.

Marler’s case was confirmed by lateral flow and PCR tests on Tuesday morning and the Harlequins prop has withdrawn from Eddie Jones’ 36-man squad that is training in Brighton this week.

He was forced to miss the autumn victory over Australia for the same reason, but subsequently returned as a replacement against South Africa a week later.

England have opted against calling in a replacement but with the 31-year-old’s period of self-isolation lasting into next week, his availability for the opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5 is now in doubt.

It is the latest upheaval to a squad that has already lost Owen Farrell and Jonny May to respective ankle and knee injuries that could yet end their Six Nations, while Courtney Lawes can not train this week because of concussion.

May’s participation hinges on a visit to a specialist this week, with the Gloucester wing set to miss at least the opening two rounds.

An ongoing knee problem has got progressively worse, resulting in his absence against Perpignan on Saturday and subsequent withdrawal from Jones’ squad on Monday.

May has been an ever-present under Jones since 2017 and is an influential member of the backline, creating a highlights reel of spectacular tries, but he now faces a race against time to get involved in England’s title quest.

The February 26 showdown with Wales at Twickenham is the earliest he will be back, but the country’s second most prolific try-scorer behind Rory Underwood could also be looking at a lengthier lay-off.

“Jonny’s seeing some people this week, but it will definitely