England boss Eddie Jones isolating for 10-days

The tournament starts February 6, when England play Scotland at Twickenham.

England rugby head coach Eddie Jones is in self-isolation after one of his coaching team contracted coronavirus.

'England coach Matt Proudfoot has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating, ' an RFU statement read.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) said that Jones is not displaying any symptoms of the disease and that he will join his squad at St George's Park next Thursday if he returns a negative result in the next round of testing.

It is the second time in three days that England's management team have been affected by coronavirus after it was revealed on Monday that Jason Ryles would not be available for the Six Nations. He will support on skills coaching following Jason Ryles' decision to stay in Australia for the spring due to the challenges caused by the pandemic.

England rugby boss Eddie Jones has entered self-isolation after assistant coach Matt Proudfoot tested positive for COVID-19. Pic INPHO

While the Six Nations have determined that the tournament will go ahead, a COVID-19 outbreak within the ranks could put a serious spanner in the works and force a re-think so as not to endanger the lives of players, staff and others involved in the organisation of fixtures.

Former Australia rugby league worldwide Ryles joined England on a permanent basis during the successful Autumn Nations Cup campaign late past year having previously worked under Jones as a defence consultant.

Although Proudfoot remains asymptomatic, the South African who was snapped up by England after guiding the Springboks to the World Cup in 2019, is now in quarantine according to health and safety protocols in place in the United Kingdom.

Six Nations organisers are confident the tournament will take place as scheduled, despite misgivings from the French government over the prospect of France travelling to Dublin and London for away matches.

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