England’s hopes of reclaiming the Six Nations title have taken another hit as captain Owen Farrell has been ruled out for the duration of the tournament.

England head coach Eddie Jones confirmed the news on Wednesday after Farrell was left out of the squad due to an ankle injury he exacerbated while training with Saracens.

Farrell, who has not played at all since injuring his ankle last November, will have to undergo surgery and will therefore miss all five of England’s fixtures.

England are already without wing Jonny May (knee) and experienced loosehead prop Joe Marler (Covid-19), while vice-captain Courtney Lawes is a doubt for the opener against Scotland due to a concussion.

In Farrell’s ongoing absence, George Ford was on Monday recalled from international exile by Jones. The in-form Leicester flyhalf won the last of his 77 England caps during a 32-18 Six Nations loss away to Ireland in March.

Jones will now have to look again at his 10-12 pairing in the lead-up to the latest edition of rugby union’s oldest international fixture, with Henry Slade, Mark Atkinson, Joe Marchant and the uncapped Luke Northmore all candidates for the inside-centre role.

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