Shaunagh Brown will have to isolate for seven days under current guidance in New Zealand. England play Fiji in their opening game, followed by matches against France and South Africa
Tuesday 4 October 2022 15:04, UK
England prop Shaunagh Brown has been ruled out of the opening game of the World Cup against Fiji on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 32-year-old will now be required to self-isolate a week under current guidance in New Zealand.
England Rugby said that Brown was sharing a room with Sadia Kabeya, who tested positive last week.
"Shaunagh Brown has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now undertaking a seven-day isolation period as required by New Zealand Government regulation," England Rugby said in a statement.
"Brown had been sharing a room with Sadia Kabeya, who returned a positive test last week and has now completed her seven-day isolation period."
England reached the final in Ireland in 2017, but lost a tight match 32-41 against New Zealand.
Red Roses hooker Connie Powell on being favourites heading into World Cup...
"We are just trying to be a better squad. Every time we train, we train to be a better version than we last were.
"That's the pressure we put on ourselves to be the best we can be all the time.
"That's the impression I get around training at the minute. Comparing ourselves to ourselves all the time and not letting external factors get in the way."
Red Roses scrum-half Leanne Infante on matching the efforts of the Lionesses...
"The Lionesses attracted such a huge crowd. Personally I wasn't a women's football fan before, but tuning into the tournament and getting behind them from a women in sport perspective was huge.
"If we can have the same influence and have the right result, think of where we can get to off the back of hopefully some successful performances.
"We want to make ourselves proud and our country proud. And the way we do that is not just results but how we play, and playing an exciting brand."
Infante on team-mates Shaunagh Brown and Sadia Kabeya testing positive for Covid, and the threat of it...
"There are nerves, you never want to miss a game and you don't want that decision to be taken away from you. We have the right protocols in place to try and minimise that as much as we can.
"We're never going to avoid it [Covid], it's still here, so it's just about how can we put as many things in our control as we can.
"It was nice to have Sadia back in training today and she's feeling better
"I spoke to Shaunagh today, she's feeling a bit unwell but nothing too bad. Mainly flu-like symptoms than anything major.
"I know they are stuck in that room but we are trying to make the most of it."
Powell on facing tournament debutants Fiji in their first game...
"Two words that spring to mind are passion and physicality. You could see at the opening ceremony yesterday, looking at their faces, they are just so ecstatic to be there.
"They are a tough team and will be full of excitement coming into the tournament.
"Their 7s have done well and they have brought a few of those players in. It is their debut so there is some unknown entities."