Saints flanker Ludlam forced to miss England training camp as fall-out from Sale situation continues

The flanker is currently self-isolating and was not able to be named in Eddie Jones' 28-man squad, which will convene for a three-day training camp at The Lensbury from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

Ludlam played at Franklin's Gardens last Tuesday against Sale, who have registered 19 positive Covid-19 tests.

And he is now self-isolating, with several of his Saints team-mates currently in the same situation.

Saints were forced to forfeit their season finale at Gloucester on Sunday after they were refused permission to register loan players to cover for the ones they had lost to self-isolation.

Meanwhile, Sale have been allowed to move their game against Worcester Warriors to Wednesday, with the Sharks knowing a win will see them make the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

There is some reason for cheer for Saints though, as six of their players will be able to take part in the England training camp, which does not include men from teams who are currently in the Premiership top four.

Four of the Saints players who will be involved with England have yet to win a cap, with David Ribbans among them. Alex Moon, Alex Mitchell and Fraser Dingwall are the others.

Piers Francis and George Furbank have also been called up, but Courtney Lawes misses out as he gets set to see a specialist about the ankle injury he picked up against Sale last week.

England have six upcoming fixtures this autumn, starting with the uncapped Quilter Cup against the Barbarians on October 25.

Following a trip to Rome to face Italy on October 31 in the final round of the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations, England will play four matches as part of the Autumn Nations Cup.

Quilter Internationals at Twickenham Stadium against Georgia (November 14) and Ireland (November 21) will be followed by an away match against Wales (November 28).

England then return to Twickenham for a placing match to determine final position in the Autumn Nations Cup competition on December 6.

And England boss Jones said: "Our preparation to build the team for the Italy game starts now.

"We have a three-day camp this week and another one next week then we’re into the week of our Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians.

"We’ll be slowly building up, working on the basics and working on team cohesion.

“We’re excited to be back together in camp representing England.

"This autumn we want to play for the fans and give them something to smile about.”

An updated squad will be confirmed ahead of England’s next training camp from October 15 to October 17.

England training squad

Backs

Ali Crossdale, Saracens*

Elliot Daly, Saracens

Fraser Dingwall, Saints*

Nathan Earle, Harlequins*

Owen Farrell, Saracens

George Ford, Leicester Tigers

Piers Francis, Saints

George Furbank,Saints

Willi Heinz, Gloucester Rugby

Joe Marchant, Harlequins

Jonny May, Gloucester Rugby

Alex Mitchell, Saints*

Ollie Thorley, Gloucester Rugby*

Ben Youngs, Leicester Tigers

Forwards

Jack Clement, Gloucester Rugby*

Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins*

Ellis Genge, Leicester Tigers

Jamie George, Saracens

Joe Heyes, Leicester Tigers*

Maro Itoje, Saracens

Simon Kerrod, Harlequins*

Lewis Ludlow, Gloucester Rugby*

Alex Moon, Saints*

David Ribbans, Saints*

Jack Singleton, Gloucester Rugby

Billy Vunipola, Saracens

Mako Vunipola, Saracens

Mark Wilson, Newcastle Falcons

* Uncapped players