ENGLAND star Joe Marler has tested positive for Covid-19.
The forward is in isolation and will miss Saturday's Autumn International against Australia at Twickenham.
It comes after Owen Farrell returned a positive test last Thursday which saw him miss Saturday's 69-3 thrashing against Tonga.
Rugby journalist Will Kelleher tweeted: "Breaking: Joe Marler positive for Covid. Out of the #Australia game & isolating for 10 days.
"Positive lateral flow on Monday, PCR on Tuesday to confirm.
"Everyone else negative on lateral flows, awaiting more PCRs."
Despite his result, Farrell was given the green light to re-join the team after lab tests showed it to have been a false positive.
The England skipper went into isolation but the result saw him released early.
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The false positive was accepted by NHS Test and Trace with the process being carried out in line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency.
The versatile fly-half turned centre has since returned a number of negative follow-up PCRs.
It comes as a boost to Eddie Jones and the rest of the England squad who will be buoyed by the return of their talisman and captain.
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Farrell will have had almost an entire week with the squad to prepare for Saturday's mammoth Test against Australia.
But the Red Rose will be without charismatic star Marler.
Saturday's game kicks off at 5:30pm before Jones' men welcome South Africa to Twickenham a week later.
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