Barbarians COVID-19 protocol breach puts England game in doubt

The Twickenham clash between England and the Barbarians on Sunday is in doubt after players from the invitational side breached coronavirus protocols.

A number of members of the Baa-Baas squad left the team hotel without permission or informing organisers about their whereabouts on Wednesday.

The players in question were separated from the rest of the group in the bubble upon their return in order to protect its integrity.

Those individuals will not be permitted to remain with the squad and the game will only go ahead if players with an appropriate COVID-19 testing history can be brought in to replace them.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed on Thursday it is reviewing if the Quilter Cup match can be staged and an update on the fixture will be provided at 3pm local time on Friday.

The RFU is reviewing if this Sunday's Quilter Cup fixture against the Barbarians can still go ahead following a breach of Covid protocols by several Barbarians players. The RFU will provide an update on the match status by 3pm on Friday 23 October. More details below.

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 22, 2020

Details of who is in or out of the Barbarians squad will only be disclosed if it is confirmed the game will be played.

The RFU arranged the game to give Eddie Jones' side a warm-up fixture ahead of their decisive final Six Nations encounter with Italy in Rome a week on Sunday.