England suffer setback as Jonny May tests positive for Covid-19

England have suffered a setback upon arriving in Australia for their three-Test tour after winger Jonny May tested positive for Covid-19.

The Gloucester flyer will spend seven days in self-isolation as required by government regulations, placing his involvement in the opening Test in Perth on Saturday week in major doubt.

England reported that no other player had returned positive tests.

May, 32, could still be available for the opening Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday, 2 July.

“Potentially he’ll be available next Thursday to train, so we’ll have a look to see what he’s like,” head coach Eddie Jones said in reference to May’s availability for the series opener.

“He’s experienced and he’s showed in his first game back against the Barbarians that he’s lacking game time and that he’s got his best rugby ahead of him.

“We’ll just monitor his situation and make an assessment closer to the day when he gets out.”

May underwent knee surgery in January and marked his return to England’s starting line-up with a try against the Barbarians on Saturday.

With 35 tries, he is England’s second highest try-scorer behind Rory Underwood.

The opening match against the Wallabies is followed by fixtures in Brisbane on 9 July and Sydney a week later.